Karnataka: Wife tortured for years over girl child
FollowKarnataka State Commission For Women in Bengaluru has received yet another all-too-familiar complaint.
In a letter, Sahana (name changed) had accused her in-laws and husband of grievously ill-treating after she gave birth to a girl child four years ago. She appealed for the intervention of the Commission, alleging that she had sent a letter as she was not in a position to leave her house.
As per Sahana's allegations, she married a certain Sunil Kumar five years ago. She claims that she had been given one kilogram of gold during her wedding by her family, who also gave Sunil 200 grams of gold.
When her daughter was born, a further 90 grams of gold was also given. Sahana said that these gifts of gold were given at the insistence of Sunil's family.
Sahana said that despite such gifts, Sunil's family demanded even more dowry from her family. The birth of a girl child apparently only increased the hostility that Sahana faced. Sahana says that once her child was born, the family abandoned her, leaving her alone in the house.
She claimed that she had alerted the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station, but no concrete action was taken.
She also stated in her letter that Sunil's family had demanded an undertaking from her that "in no way is their family or their family members responsible in case of any untoward incident".
Sahana has also alleged that all essentials, like water, cable and phone lines were disconnected in the house, and she was receiving no monetary assistance from Sunil's side to raise their child.
Sahana has claimed that Sunil was a millionaire who was extremely well-to-do, despite refusing her any aid and demanding dowry from her.
Having registered a complaint on this basis, the Commission has written a letter to the Police Commissioner seeking a report from the police within six weeks.
