Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A 40-year-old woman in Ahemdabad has lodged a complaint against her husband, a school principal, alleging that he subjected her to physical and mental harassment and repeatedly raised demands linked to dowry during their 20-year marriage.
The police have registered an FIR against the man under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Dowry Prohibition Act and have begun investigating the allegations.
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According to the complaint, the latest incident took place on August 23 at the couple’s residence in the Thaltej area of Ahmedabad.
The woman, identified as Lataben, alleged that her husband, Harshad, abused and assaulted her during an argument over household expenses. He allegedly told her, “The expenses for this Ahmedabad house are too high; you didn’t bring anything from your father’s house, and I have to bear the entire burden”.
She sustained injuries and received treatment at Civil Hospital on August 24. Her parents subsequently took her to their home in Viramgam, following which she approached the police.
Lataben told police that she married Harshad in 2005. The couple have two children, with their daughter studying at a private college and their son in Class 6.
During the initial years of marriage, she lived with her in-laws while Harshad worked as a teacher in Dhrangadhra and returned home on weekends.
She alleged that disagreements started within a few months of the marriage and gradually escalated into verbal abuse and physical assaults.
Her father-in-law reportedly intervened on an earlier occasion and helped settle the dispute.
Lataben further alleged that when their daughter was six-months-old and developed an eye problem, Harshad refused to arrange treatment.
She subsequently took the child to her maternal uncle’s residence in Surendranagar for medical care.
The complaint further states that Harshad later asked Lataben to obtain money from her father to purchase a house. Her father reportedly provided the amount, while telling Harshad that, as he had four daughters, the money should be returned when financially feasible.
When he later sought repayment, Lataben alleged that Harshad disputed the claim and said, “Nothing was given as dowry; the money was given to your daughter to buy a house, so why are you asking for it back?”
After the family moved from Dhrangadhra to Thaltej, Lataben alleged that harassment continued over household work, children’s education and expenses.
She also alleged that Harshad quarrelled with her family members when they tried to intervene. She cited another assault in 2023 when she was unwell and alleged that he repeated his dowry-related remarks during a visit to her parental home.
Based on her complaint, Bodakdev police registered the FIR under Sections 85, 115(2) and 296(b) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Police are now examining the allegations and circumstances surrounding the reported incidents. Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
