The CBI has arrested former judge Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, from her residence in Bhopal. The arrest marks a major development in the high-profile Twisha Sharma case that has drawn significant public and legal attention.


CBI Arrests Twisha Sharma's Mother-in-Law, Former Judge Giribala Singh, From Bhopal Residence

A shocking case from Bhopal has sparked nationwide outrage after 33-year-old Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home. Her family alleges severe dowry-related torture, while police have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the case. The court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of her husband, who is now absconding. Six police teams are actively searching as disturbing allegations of abuse and pressure emerge.


Twisha Sharma Death Probe: Police To Move Court To Cancel Bail Of Twisha's Mother-In-Law

Dowry Horror In Bhopal: Twisha Sharma Found Dead, Husband On The Run As SIT Steps In

Dowry greed continues to claim lives of Indian women across professions, from tech professionals to defense commandos, highlighting the persistence of this social evil despite legal bans.


From Techie to Commando, Dowry Greed Claims Lives of Indian Women 

On Gravitas Plus this week. .

We turn our attention to a grim and disturbing trend. .

The rise in dowry-related violence and deaths across India. .

Despite decades of legal prohibition, the age-old practice of dowry continues. .
Claiming the lives of young women.

Many just months or years into marriage

Behind closed doors: The scourge of dowry

Bombay High Court’s bench in the Indian state of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad has overturned a 20-year-old court order that convicted a man and his family for cruelty towards his late wife. The court said that allegations of not allowing their daughter-in-law to watch TV, forcing her to sleep on the carpet, not letting her visit the temple alone, and verbally abusing her were not “severe” actions under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-up-panel-suggests-no-male-tailor-should-take-womens-measurements-for-safety-774616">India: UP panel suggests 'no male tailor should take women’s measurements' for safety</a>

Section 498A of the IPC states, “Whoever being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend for three years and shall also be liable to fine.”

The high court observed that the nature of these allegations involving domestic problems do not amount to physical and mental torture. The man, along with his brother and parents were acquitted by the High Court for these offences and IPC Section 306 (abetment of suicide).&nbsp;

The couple in question got married in December 2002, and the woman committed suicide in May 2003, due to alleged ill-treatment by her in-laws.

In an October 17 order, the single judge bench of Justice Abhay S Waghwase dismissed the allegations of cruelty towards her. The woman’s family also complained that her in-laws demanded dowry and would send her to fetch water at midnight.

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However, the court noted that the village of Varangaon, where they lived, usually received the water supply around midnight and families would go to fetch water around that time.

“There is a gap of almost two months since deceased, complainant and witnesses met each other. They (mother, uncle and aunt of deceased) have admitted that, there was no communication from deceased either written or oral, she has not conveyed that there was any instances of cruelty in proximity to suicide. There is no evidence to show that at that relevant point or any proximity to the suicide, there was any demand, cruelty or mal-treatment so as to connect them with the suicidal death. What triggered the suicide has remained a mystery,” the high court wrote&nbsp;in its order, as per LiveLaw.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bombay High Court’s bench in the Indian state of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad has overturned a 20-year-old court order that convicted a man and his family for cruelty towards his late wife.

Bombay High Court’s bench in the Indian state of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad has overturned a 20-year-old court order that convicted a man and his family for cruelty towards his late wife. The court said that allegations of not allowing their daughter-in-law to watch TV, forcing her to sleep on the carpet, not letting her visit the temple alone, and verbally abusing her were not “severe” actions under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Also read | India: UP panel suggests 'no male tailor should take women’s measurements' for safety Section 498A of the IPC states, “Whoever being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend for three years and shall also be liable to fine.” The high court observed that the nature of these allegations involving domestic problems do not amount to physical and mental torture. The man, along with his brother and parents were acquitted by the High Court for these offences and IPC Section 306 (abetment of suicide). The couple in question got married in December 2002, and the woman committed suicide in May 2003, due to alleged ill-treatment by her in-laws. In an October 17 order, the single judge bench of Justice Abhay S Waghwase dismissed the allegations of cruelty towards her. The woman’s family also complained that her in-laws demanded dowry and would send her to fetch water at midnight. Also read | Three coaches of the Secunderabad-Shalimar Express derail in India's Howrah However, the court noted that the village of Varangaon, where they lived, usually received the water supply around midnight and families would go to fetch water around that time. “There is a gap of almost two months since deceased, complainant and witnesses met each other. They (mother, uncle and aunt of deceased) have admitted that, there was no communication from deceased either written or oral, she has not conveyed that there was any instances of cruelty in proximity to suicide. There is no evidence to show that at that relevant point or any proximity to the suicide, there was any demand, cruelty or mal-treatment so as to connect them with the suicidal death. What triggered the suicide has remained a mystery,” the high court wrote in its order, as per LiveLaw. (With inputs from agencies)

Forcing daughter-in-law to sleep on carpet, verbal abuse not cruelty: Bombay High Court

A 26-year-old doctor from India’s southern Kerala state died by suicide after her boyfriend refused to marry her over her family’s inability to fulfill his parents’ dowry demands.

Shahana—a student pursuing PG course at the surgery department of Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram—was in a relationship with Dr EA Ruwais.

<h2>Boyfriend's family wanted gold, land, and BMW car</h2>

The girl’s family claimed that Ruwais’s family demanded 150 gold sovereigns, 15 acres of land, and a BMW car in dowry, local media outlet Mathrubhumi reported.

When Shahana’s family couldn’t fulfill all of their demands, Ruwais’s parents called off the wedding, forcing the 26-year-old to take the extreme step.

She also reportedly left a suicide note in which she wrote, "Everyone wants money only".

A police complaint was later registered against the boyfriend under the abetment to suicide charge and dowry prevention laws. He was arrested on Wednesday night, PTI news agency reported.

Shahana is survived by&nbsp;her mother and two siblings. Her father, who worked in the Gulf, died two years ago.&nbsp;

<h2>State govt seeks report&nbsp;</h2>

Meanwhile, the Women and Child Development department has been asked to conduct a probe into the matter and submit a report on the same.

Kerala Women's Commission Chairperson Sathidevi, who visited Shahana's mother at her house on Wednesday, demanded a probe into the case, adding that the women's commission would seek a report on the action taken by police in the matter.

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The state’s Minority Commission also intervened in the matter, with panel's chairperson AA Rasheed asking the district collector, the city police commissioner, and director of medical education to appear before the commission on December 14 and submit a report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-aiims-delhi-detects-7-walking-pneumonia-ve-samples-from-april-to-sept-this-year-667012">India: AIIMS Delhi detects 7 cases of 'walking pneumonia' bacteria, govt clarifies no link to surge in China</a>

In the wake of the incident, the Medical PG Doctors Association relieved Ruwais of all his responsibilities within their organisation.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 26-year-old doctor from India’s southern Kerala state died by suicide after her boyfriend refused to marry her over her family’s inability to fulfill his parents’ dowry demands.

A 26-year-old doctor from India’s southern Kerala state died by suicide after her boyfriend refused to marry her over her family’s inability to fulfill his parents’ dowry demands. Shahana—a student pursuing PG course at the surgery department of Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram—was in a relationship with Dr EA Ruwais. Boyfriend's family wanted gold, land, and BMW car The girl’s family claimed that Ruwais’s family demanded 150 gold sovereigns, 15 acres of land, and a BMW car in dowry, local media outlet Mathrubhumi reported. When Shahana’s family couldn’t fulfill all of their demands, Ruwais’s parents called off the wedding, forcing the 26-year-old to take the extreme step. She also reportedly left a suicide note in which she wrote, "Everyone wants money only". A police complaint was later registered against the boyfriend under the abetment to suicide charge and dowry prevention laws. He was arrested on Wednesday night, PTI news agency reported. Shahana is survived by her mother and two siblings. Her father, who worked in the Gulf, died two years ago. State govt seeks report Meanwhile, the Women and Child Development department has been asked to conduct a probe into the matter and submit a report on the same. Kerala Women's Commission Chairperson Sathidevi, who visited Shahana's mother at her house on Wednesday, demanded a probe into the case, adding that the women's commission would seek a report on the action taken by police in the matter. Also read | Revanth Reddy sworn in as Telangana CM, first Congress leader to lead state The state’s Minority Commission also intervened in the matter, with panel's chairperson AA Rasheed asking the district collector, the city police commissioner, and director of medical education to appear before the commission on December 14 and submit a report. Also read | India: AIIMS Delhi detects 7 cases of 'walking pneumonia' bacteria, govt clarifies no link to surge in China In the wake of the incident, the Medical PG Doctors Association relieved Ruwais of all his responsibilities within their organisation. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Kerala doctor kills self after boyfriend’s family calls off wedding over dowry demands

The concept of dowry has been an old tradition that is now slowly going into the shadows and is dealt with as a ‘hush’ payment from the bride’s side.

Although it has been illegal in India since 1961, a study has revealed that dowry is being paid regularly even now and nearly 95 per cent of weddings have had an exchange of dowry even in these modern times.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/growing-epidemic-of-sexual-violence-in-new-zealand-childrens-commissioner-394497" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/growing-epidemic-of-sexual-violence-in-new-zealand-childrens-commissioner-394497&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkdf85svxAhX0xzgGHV5vAcQQFjAHegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PLG7aH0oRdT4mvDsLrUp9" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/growing-epidemic-of-sexual-violence-in-new-zealand-childrens-commissioner-394497" target="_blank">Growing 'epidemic' of&nbsp;sexual&nbsp;violence in New Zealand</a>

Dowry is rightly portrayed to be a social evil as it is a practice of paying and accepting objects of value (such as clothes, jewellery, furniture, cash and more) between the two families. Usually, it is the bride’s family who has to pay these objects to the groom's family.

The study was conducted by the World Bank who looked at nearly 40,000 marriages that happened between 1960 and 2008 in 17 Indian states that comprise 96 per cent of the country’s population.

Experts calculated "net dowry" to study the gap between what was paid by the bride’s family to the groom’s and vice-versa, and the results showed that in the majority of the cases it was the bride’s family who had paid more – in cash and kind – to the groom’s family, rather than the opposite.

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As per the calculated amount that was admitted by families, on average a groom’s family spends $67 (INR 5,000) on gifts to the bride’s family. However, the bride’s family spends nearly $429 (INR 32,000) for gifts and other monetary payments to the groom’s family, thus making the net dowry nearly $361 (INR 27,000).

It has also been observed that in general the dowry amount is usually 14 per cent of the annual household income and is also made up of a substantial amount from the family’s savings.

"As a share of income, dowry has gone down over time because on average rural incomes have risen in India," said Dr Anukriti, an economist at the World Bank Research Group. "But this is just an average claim - to calculate how large dowry is relative to household income for each household, we will need data on household income or expenditure, but unfortunately we don't have such data available," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/workplace-harassment-a-global-plague-amid-pandemic-377849" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/workplace-harassment-a-global-plague-amid-pandemic-377849&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjFioOH58vxAhV_xzgGHd5RBn84ChAWMAV6BAgAEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw0oltDMx0rBR9P83-jJknq6" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/workplace-harassment-a-global-plague-amid-pandemic-377849" target="_blank">Workplace&nbsp;harassment: A global plague amid pandemic</a>

While a lot of the thought process has changed since 2008, researchers believe the trend of dowry is still very prevalent in India as the idea is very common in all major religious groups too, with Christians and Sikhs showing a "striking increase in dowry".

Some states such as Kerala, Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat saw inflation in dowry, with Kerala registering the highest average dowry in recent years. On the other hand, states such as Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal saw a decrease in average dowry.

"We don't have definitive answers about these differences. We hope to explore this question in future research," Dr Anukriti said.

The concept of dowry has been an old tradition that is now slowly going into the shadows and is dealt with as a ‘hush’ payment from the bride’s side. Although it has been illegal in India since 1961, a study has revealed that dowry is being paid regularly even now and nearly 95 per cent of weddings have had an exchange of dowry even in these modern times.

The concept of dowry has been an old tradition that is now slowly going into the shadows and is dealt with as a ‘hush’ payment from the bride’s side. Although it has been illegal in India since 1961, a study has revealed that dowry is being paid regularly even now and nearly 95 per cent of weddings have had an exchange of dowry even in these modern times. Also read | Growing 'epidemic' of sexual violence in New Zealand Dowry is rightly portrayed to be a social evil as it is a practice of paying and accepting objects of value (such as clothes, jewellery, furniture, cash and more) between the two families. Usually, it is the bride’s family who has to pay these objects to the groom's family. The study was conducted by the World Bank who looked at nearly 40,000 marriages that happened between 1960 and 2008 in 17 Indian states that comprise 96 per cent of the country’s population. Experts calculated "net dowry" to study the gap between what was paid by the bride’s family to the groom’s and vice-versa, and the results showed that in the majority of the cases it was the bride’s family who had paid more – in cash and kind – to the groom’s family, rather than the opposite. Also read | Rising cases of sexual harassment in UK schools alarming As per the calculated amount that was admitted by families, on average a groom’s family spends $67 (INR 5,000) on gifts to the bride’s family. However, the bride’s family spends nearly $429 (INR 32,000) for gifts and other monetary payments to the groom’s family, thus making the net dowry nearly $361 (INR 27,000). It has also been observed that in general the dowry amount is usually 14 per cent of the annual household income and is also made up of a substantial amount from the family’s savings. "As a share of income, dowry has gone down over time because on average rural incomes have risen in India," said Dr Anukriti, an economist at the World Bank Research Group. "But this is just an average claim - to calculate how large dowry is relative to household income for each household, we will need data on household income or expenditure, but unfortunately we don't have such data available," she said. Also read | Workplace harassment: A global plague amid pandemic While a lot of the thought process has changed since 2008, researchers believe the trend of dowry is still very prevalent in India as the idea is very common in all major religious groups too, with Christians and Sikhs showing a "striking increase in dowry". Some states such as Kerala, Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat saw inflation in dowry, with Kerala registering the highest average dowry in recent years. On the other hand, states such as Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal saw a decrease in average dowry. "We don't have definitive answers about these differences. We hope to explore this question in future research," Dr Anukriti said.

Dowry payments still largely taking place in India: World Bank

Hasin Jahan, Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami's wife, reacted on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indian-pacer-mohammed-shami-charged-by-kolkata-police-for-dowry-sexual-harassment-203345">charge sheet filed against him for dowry and sexual harassment</a>&nbsp;by Kolkata police. Speaking to media on Thursday, Jahan welcomed the move and said she is "glad the charge sheet was filed against him at last, after so long," news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Jahan informed that she had previously written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but "they didn't take any action".

"I thank the police," she added.&nbsp;

In a major setback for the Indian pacer, the Kolkata police Thursday charged Mohammed Shami under IPC 498A and 354A for alleged dowry harassment and sexual harassment.&nbsp;

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Hasin Jahan, wife of Mohammed Shami on chargesheet filed against him for dowry &amp; sexual harassment: I'm glad chargesheet was filed against him at last, after so long. I thank the police, I had also written a letter to BCCI but I don't know why they didn't take any action. (14/3) <a href="https://t.co/rP46ZA8H03">pic.twitter.com/rP46ZA8H03</a>
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The latest development may jeopardise Shami's World Cup campaign as the next hearing of the case is scheduled on June 22, while the ICC tournament starts from May 30.

Shami’s estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, accused him of domestic violence and filed a charge sheet against him.&nbsp;

On March 8, 2018, Jahan lodged a complaint against her husband and his elder brother Hasib Ahmad. Allegations of threat, infidelity and dowry demand were levelled against the cricketer, which Shami has denied.&nbsp;

Hasin Jahan, Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami's wife, reacted on the charge sheet filed against him for dowry and sexual harassment by Kolkata police. Speaking to media on Thursday, Jahan welcomed the move and said she is "glad the charge sheet was filed against him at last, after so long," news agency ANI reported.

Hasin Jahan, Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami's wife, reacted on the charge sheet filed against him for dowry and sexual harassment by Kolkata police. Speaking to media on Thursday, Jahan welcomed the move and said she is "glad the charge sheet was filed against him at last, after so long," news agency ANI reported. Jahan informed that she had previously written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but "they didn't take any action". "I thank the police," she added. In a major setback for the Indian pacer, the Kolkata police Thursday charged Mohammed Shami under IPC 498A and 354A for alleged dowry harassment and sexual harassment. Hasin Jahan, wife of Mohammed Shami on chargesheet filed against him for dowry & sexual harassment: I'm glad chargesheet was filed against him at last, after so long. I thank the police, I had also written a letter to BCCI but I don't know why they didn't take any action. (14/3) pic.twitter.com/rP46ZA8H03 — ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 × The latest development may jeopardise Shami's World Cup campaign as the next hearing of the case is scheduled on June 22, while the ICC tournament starts from May 30. Shami’s estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, accused him of domestic violence and filed a charge sheet against him. On March 8, 2018, Jahan lodged a complaint against her husband and his elder brother Hasib Ahmad. Allegations of threat, infidelity and dowry demand were levelled against the cricketer, which Shami has denied.

Glad he is charged at last, after so long: Mohammed Shami's wife on charge sheet against husband 

An NGO in its report said India's infant mortality rate and child labour remained issues of grave concern even as it noted that India has improved its ranking in the world childhood index.

"Save the Children"&nbspin its report End of Childhood, ranked India 113 in the list of 175 countries in the world childhood index. India ranking has gone up just 3 places since last year.

The report said India's nutrition, infant mortality and child labour remained issues of grave concern in the country where under-five child mortality is 43 per 1,000 live births for 2016, even though Census of India had measured it to be 39 per 1,000 live births in the same year.

Another challenge the report mentioned is that of adolescent pregnancy. In India, the number of births per 1000 girls aged 15-19 is 23.3 per cent, which means one out of four girls are more likely to give birth before reaching 20.

"Many children in the country still start their lives disadvantaged just by virtue of being a girl or because they are poor. Early marriage, child labour and malnutrition are just some of the ways in which children are robbed of their childhood," said Bidisha Pillai, CEO, Save the Children, India.

The report said "certain forms of cultural violence &nbsp- such as dowry-related abuse and acid throwing in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, for example - only affect girls and women, and carry lifelong health consequences, or even result in death."

The report ranked Singapore and Slovenia as the top country in the childhood index. Norway and Sweden were ranked joint third with Finland ranked sixth with Ireland and Netherlands tied at number six. &nbspIceland, Italy and South Korea were ranked in eight position in the list.

"Adolescence is a period of pronounced vulnerability, especially for girls. In Bangladesh and Cameroon, more than 20 per cent of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 report having experienced forced sex. 139 Rates above 10 per cent are reported in 11 other countries: Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda," it said.

Niger at 175 was ranked at the bottom of the list with Mali at 174, the Central African Republic at 173, Chad at 172 and South Sudan at 171. Although it noted that in sub-Saharan Africa, 25 of 49 countries that is 51 per cent countries had improved their scores.

Uganda had achieved a 20-point score increase, with Somalia improving its score by 13 points.&nbsp

In East Asia and Pacific, 16 of 21 countries made progress with China and Thailand improving by 11 points.

"Almost all developed countries have little or no change in their scores – 25 of 30 countries moved 2 or fewer points in either direction," it said, adding,"the biggest movers are Malta (up 8 points from 953 to 961) and Latvia (up 7 points from 956 to 963)."&nbsp

 
&nbsp

In East Asia and Pacific, 16 of 21 countries made progress with China and Thailand improving by 11 points.

An NGO in its report said India's infant mortality rate and child labour remained issues of grave concern even as it noted that India has improved its ranking in the world childhood index. "Save the Children"&nbspin its report End of Childhood, ranked India 113 in the list of 175 countries in the world childhood index. India ranking has gone up just 3 places since last year. The report said India's nutrition, infant mortality and child labour remained issues of grave concern in the country where under-five child mortality is 43 per 1,000 live births for 2016, even though Census of India had measured it to be 39 per 1,000 live births in the same year. Another challenge the report mentioned is that of adolescent pregnancy. In India, the number of births per 1000 girls aged 15-19 is 23.3 per cent, which means one out of four girls are more likely to give birth before reaching 20. "Many children in the country still start their lives disadvantaged just by virtue of being a girl or because they are poor. Early marriage, child labour and malnutrition are just some of the ways in which children are robbed of their childhood," said Bidisha Pillai, CEO, Save the Children, India. The report said "certain forms of cultural violence - such as dowry-related abuse and acid throwing in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, for example - only affect girls and women, and carry lifelong health consequences, or even result in death." The report ranked Singapore and Slovenia as the top country in the childhood index. Norway and Sweden were ranked joint third with Finland ranked sixth with Ireland and Netherlands tied at number six. &nbspIceland, Italy and South Korea were ranked in eight position in the list. "Adolescence is a period of pronounced vulnerability, especially for girls. In Bangladesh and Cameroon, more than 20 per cent of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 report having experienced forced sex. 139 Rates above 10 per cent are reported in 11 other countries: Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda," it said. Niger at 175 was ranked at the bottom of the list with Mali at 174, the Central African Republic at 173, Chad at 172 and South Sudan at 171. Although it noted that in sub-Saharan Africa, 25 of 49 countries that is 51 per cent countries had improved their scores. Uganda had achieved a 20-point score increase, with Somalia improving its score by 13 points. In East Asia and Pacific, 16 of 21 countries made progress with China and Thailand improving by 11 points. "Almost all developed countries have little or no change in their scores – 25 of 30 countries moved 2 or fewer points in either direction," it said, adding,"the biggest movers are Malta (up 8 points from 953 to 961) and Latvia (up 7 points from 956 to 963)."

India improves ranking in world childhood index; infant mortality, child labour a concern: Report

A Russian woman, Olga Fimenkov, has been sitting at the doorstep of her in-laws&#39; home in India&#39;s northern Agra city in protest against the refusal by her mother-in-law to let her into the house. 
 
Fimenkov, who married Vikrant Singh Chandel in 2011, is on a hunger strike, and claims that she, her daughter, and husband have been barred from entering the house. 
 
&quot;My problem is that my mother in-law has thrown us out of the house. We don&#39;t have any other place to live. I am sitting here with my daughter at the gate of the house. She is not letting me go inside. I have not eaten anything from morning and I will not eat also until I am getting a place to live in,&quot; Fimenkov said on Saturday (July 09) in fluent Hindi. 
 
She accused her mother-in-law of mentally torturing her for not bringing dowry with her. 
 
Fimenkov and her husband Vikrant claimed that they have reported the matter to local police but they have been of little help. 
 
Fimenkov said she had also lodged a written complaint with Russian embassy. 
 
Her husband admitted that his wife was often tortured by his mother. 
 
&quot;My mother physically assaults and tortures my wife. She has demanded Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and I don&#39;t have that much amount to give it to her. Her behaviour is same with all daughters in-law. She has opened an illegal school and I don&#39;t think she has the right papers for that,&quot; claimed Vikrant. &quot;I went to New Agra police station. It&#39;s been 20 days since I have reported but they are not helping. I have been out here for the last 20 days and now I don&#39;t have any money left.&quot; 
 
Vikrant&#39;s mother Nirmala Chandel denied all the allegations and said that the couple owed her $16,385 which she had given to them since their marriage. 
 
&quot;My son and daughter in-law do gambling and consume alcohol. You can do their test. They abuse me and my children. I am not able to run the school and they don&#39;t allow me to do any work. Since their marriage, I have given them Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and now I don&#39;t have any money left. Whatever I save they take all money from me,&quot; she said. 
 
According to local reports, the couple suffered heavy losses in business in western Goa and returned to Agra early this year. 
 
Violence against women is common in India, with rapes, acid attacks, domestic violence, dowry and deaths being reported frequently. 
 
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India registered 337,922 incidents of crimes against women in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. Out of those, 36,735 were incidents of rape. 
 
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today to help Olga. &nbsp;&quot;Akhilesh ji - Pl help this lady. @yadavakhilesh,&quot; she posted on the microblogging site Twitter.&nbsp; 
 
(Agencies)&nbsp; 
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Olga Fimenkov says her mother-in-law is upset she did not bring a dowry with her. Her husband and daughter have also been locked out

A Russian woman, Olga Fimenkov, has been sitting at the doorstep of her in-laws' home in India's northern Agra city in protest against the refusal by her mother-in-law to let her into the house. Fimenkov, who married Vikrant Singh Chandel in 2011, is on a hunger strike, and claims that she, her daughter, and husband have been barred from entering the house. "My problem is that my mother in-law has thrown us out of the house. We don't have any other place to live. I am sitting here with my daughter at the gate of the house. She is not letting me go inside. I have not eaten anything from morning and I will not eat also until I am getting a place to live in," Fimenkov said on Saturday (July 09) in fluent Hindi. She accused her mother-in-law of mentally torturing her for not bringing dowry with her. Fimenkov and her husband Vikrant claimed that they have reported the matter to local police but they have been of little help. Fimenkov said she had also lodged a written complaint with Russian embassy. Her husband admitted that his wife was often tortured by his mother. "My mother physically assaults and tortures my wife. She has demanded Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and I don't have that much amount to give it to her. Her behaviour is same with all daughters in-law. She has opened an illegal school and I don't think she has the right papers for that," claimed Vikrant. "I went to New Agra police station. It's been 20 days since I have reported but they are not helping. I have been out here for the last 20 days and now I don't have any money left." Vikrant's mother Nirmala Chandel denied all the allegations and said that the couple owed her $16,385 which she had given to them since their marriage. "My son and daughter in-law do gambling and consume alcohol. You can do their test. They abuse me and my children. I am not able to run the school and they don't allow me to do any work. Since their marriage, I have given them Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and now I don't have any money left. Whatever I save they take all money from me," she said. According to local reports, the couple suffered heavy losses in business in western Goa and returned to Agra early this year. Violence against women is common in India, with rapes, acid attacks, domestic violence, dowry and deaths being reported frequently. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India registered 337,922 incidents of crimes against women in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. Out of those, 36,735 were incidents of rape. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today to help Olga. "Akhilesh ji - Pl help this lady. @yadavakhilesh," she posted on the microblogging site Twitter. (Agencies)

Russian woman goes on hunger strike, protests outside Indian mother-in-law's home after she is thrown out

A woman&#39;s forehead and other body parts were inked with expletives in northwestern India after she failed to fulfill her in-laws dowry demands, police said today. 
 
In her police complaint, the 25-year-old victim has also alleged rape by her brother-in-law and husband&#39;s nephew. 
 
She said two years after her marriage to a man based in Alwar district of Rajasthan state, her in-laws started demanding money and motorbike as dowry. When she resisted their demands, expletives were tattooed on her forehead and arms. 
 
The victim now lives with her family in Jaipur district of the state, where she filed the police complaint. 
 
&quot;She alleged in her complaint that she was raped by her brother-in-law and nephew and she was tortured by her husband and others with expletive tattoos on her forehead and other parts of body over dowry. 
 
&nbsp;She also told us that when this matter came to light they (in-laws) tried to erase the tattoos with acid. We have registered a complaint and investigation is underway,&quot; said senior police official, Abdul Wahid. 
 
He added that the victim would be sent for medical examination to ascertain the allegations of rape. 
 
The victim alleged that her husband threatened to kill her if she failed to fulfill his dowry demand. 
 
&quot;He (husband) asked me to get a motorbike and money from my parents, failing which he would stab me to death,&quot; she said. 
 
A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said there were 337,922 reports of violence against women such as rape, molestation, abduction and cruelty by husbands in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. 
 
(Reuters)

She alleged that her nephew and brother-in-law raped her, while her husband and others tattooed her body with abusive words

A woman's forehead and other body parts were inked with expletives in northwestern India after she failed to fulfill her in-laws dowry demands, police said today. In her police complaint, the 25-year-old victim has also alleged rape by her brother-in-law and husband's nephew. She said two years after her marriage to a man based in Alwar district of Rajasthan state, her in-laws started demanding money and motorbike as dowry. When she resisted their demands, expletives were tattooed on her forehead and arms. The victim now lives with her family in Jaipur district of the state, where she filed the police complaint. "She alleged in her complaint that she was raped by her brother-in-law and nephew and she was tortured by her husband and others with expletive tattoos on her forehead and other parts of body over dowry. She also told us that when this matter came to light they (in-laws) tried to erase the tattoos with acid. We have registered a complaint and investigation is underway," said senior police official, Abdul Wahid. He added that the victim would be sent for medical examination to ascertain the allegations of rape. The victim alleged that her husband threatened to kill her if she failed to fulfill his dowry demand. "He (husband) asked me to get a motorbike and money from my parents, failing which he would stab me to death," she said. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said there were 337,922 reports of violence against women such as rape, molestation, abduction and cruelty by husbands in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. (Reuters)

Woman inked with expletives over dowry in northwestern India

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