Odisha: Woman tonsured by in-laws in public over dowry demand

Sambalpur: A 25-year-old woman was allegedly humiliated and tonsured in public view by her in-laws at Paruabhadi village under Kuchinda police limits in Odisha’s Sambalpur district over dowry demand.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim with Kuchinda police, victim’s mother-in-law Dukhi Chhatria and two sisters-in-law Jayakanti Majhi and Saraswati Pradhan have been arrested.

As the FIR, a heated exchange of words took place between the victim and her two sisters-in-law on February 5. As the argument intensified, Dukhi and her two daughters thrashed the victim. The entire incident took place in the absence of the victim’s husband.

On February 7, a community meeting over the matter was held in the village, where the victim was held ‘guilty’ for raising hand at her sister-in-law who is elder to her. The victim was slapped with a fine of Rs 6,000 and an order was passed that her head be tonsured.

The community members also warned of ostracising the family if the incident was reported to police.

While the accused trio has been arrested, police said members of the community involved in harassing the woman will also be apprehended soon.

The accused have been booked under sections 455, 452, 355, 254 (b), 294, 506, 498(a), 34  of the IPC and section 4 of Dowry Prevention Act.