Nagpur: Dowry deaths are deaths of young women who are murdered or driven to suicide by continuous harassment and torture by husbands and in-laws in an effort to extort an increased dowry.
In a similar incident that occurred on February 11, 2015, a body of a young woman was seen floating in Shukrawari Lake. When the police fished out the body and investigated who she was, they found out that the deceased is identified as Sulochana Nandev Rathod aged 20 years and a resident of Cotton Market, Shaniwari, near Hanuman Temple.
The dead body was seen floating in the Shukhravari Lake hit opposite to Raman Science Centre. Police officials of Ganeshpeth Police Station rushed to the spot and took charge of the body and after completing the formalities, sent the body to Government Medical College and Hospital.
The Ganeshpeth Police had registered a case of accidental death and started investigations.
On detailed investigations, a barbaric act of inciting the deceased to commit suicide came to fore. The accused identified as 1) Nandev Vasudev Rathod aged 27 years (Husband), 2) Vasudev Manglu Rathod aged 62 years (Father-in-law) and 3) Shantabai Vasudev Rathod aged 60 years used to force her to demand more dowry from her parents. They had also mentally and physically tortured her from time to time for more dowries. When the deceased could not bear the atrocities on her, she had committed suicide.
On the basis of the complaint lodged by the father of the deceased identified as Dutta Ambarsingh Pawar aged 45 years and a resident of Mandi, Kimwat Taluka, District Nanded, Police Sub Inspector Pendur of Ganeshpeth Police Station registered a case under sections 304 (B) and 34 of Indian Penal Code. Further investigations are on.
Even though the payment or receiving of a dowry has been prohibited under the 1961 Dowry Prohibition Act in Indian Civil Law and subsequently by Sections 304B and 498a of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the dowry taking and giving continues. Many women are made victims of increased dowry demands.
