Tragedy in Uttar Pradesh: Woman Battles for Life After Dowry-Related Attack

In a harrowing incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district, a 26-year-old woman named Sonkali is fighting for her life after allegedly being set on fire by her husband and in-laws over dowry demands. The case, registered as a dowry death by the Uttar Pradesh Police, highlights the persistent issue of dowry-related violence in the region.

Sonkali, married to Naresh Kumar since April 28, 2017, faced ongoing abuse from her husband and his parents, Janki and Bhagwan Devi, for not fulfilling demands for a motorcycle and jewelry, as detailed in a complaint lodged by her brother, Amar Pal, with the Jehanabad police. The situation escalated on March 30, when, following a dispute, Kumar and his parents reportedly wrapped Sonkali in soiled clothes, doused her with turpentine, and set her ablaze, said Station House Officer Manoj Kumar Mishra.

Before succumbing to her injuries on April 6, Sonkali recounted the horrific sequence of events to her brother, providing critical details that led to the police registering a case against the accused. The investigation is ongoing, with legal proceedings initiated to address the crime.

In a related incident in Budaun, another woman, 21-year-old Tarawati, died under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ home, allegedly after ingesting poison. Her father, Omkar, claimed she faced frequent beatings over dowry demands, having lodged a prior complaint about the abuse. The Ujhani Police Station’s Inspector Neeraj Malik stated that Tarawati’s body was sent for a post-mortem, and a case will be filed based on the family’s complaint and autopsy findings.

These cases underscore the ongoing challenge of dowry-related violence in Uttar Pradesh, with authorities continuing to investigate and pursue justice for the victims.