New Delhi: Harassment of women over dowry is rampant in India, and the latest victim is a newlywed woman. As per allegations, her relatives not only locked her inside a room over the non-payment of dowry but also released a snake on her.
The snake bit her, and her condition deteriorated. However, the family did not come forward to help her, and her sister had to intervene, taking the woman to the hospital. The incident took place on September 18 in Colonelganj in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur.
The woman, Reshma, was harassed by her relatives over
dowry-related disputes. According to her sister Rizwana, they locked her in the room and released the snake through the drain. Late, the snake bit Reshma on her leg at night. She screamed and writhed in pain, but the family members did not help her by opening the door. Instead, they stood outside, laughing.
Reshma managed to contact Rizwana by phone, and the latter found her in a critical condition upon arrival. She took her to a hospital, where she was admitted for urgent medical treatment. Reshma got married to Shahnawaz on March 19, 2021, and the harassment began shortly after.
From the very beginning, the in-laws had been taunting and harassing her over dowry. They were Rs 1.5 lakh by Reshma's family a while ago, but they demanded an additional Rs 5 lakh, which was not met, and the dispute flared up. Rizwana has filed a complaint, and a case has been registered against Shahnawaz, his parents, elder brother, sister, and three others by the police, with charges including attempted culpable homicide.
