SHILLONG: A man has been arrested in a dowry case after his wife allegedly committed suicide in their residence in Pynthorumkhrah a few days back.
According to an FIR lodged by the deceased woman’s aunt, Usha Sah, 23-year-old Pooja Prasad was tortured for dowry since her marriage to Ravi Shankar Prasad in July 2016.
On March 23, Pooja called up Sah and complained about torture by her husband and in-laws, Madhuri Prasad and Joginder Prasad Sah. On March 24, Sah was informed that Pooja had committed suicide.
The couple has a six-month-old baby.
Police said the husband was arrested on Sunday evening and the in-laws were served notice owing to their old age. If the in-laws’ involvement is established during the course of investigation, they will be arrested, the police added.
East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said inquiry was on to find out whether it was a murder or suicide.
Pooja’s father, who arrived in Shillong from Bihar on Monday morning, accused the husband and in-laws of killing his daughter because they could not meet their demands
He said earlier this week, his wife received a phone call from their daughter’s in-laws who threatened to harm Pooja if they did not meet their demands.
Meanwhile, CSWO and other NGOs like the Bihari Youth Welfare Association have condemned the incident.
CSWO has demanded proper investigation and arrest of the in-laws and that they should not be allowed bail. The organisation said charge-sheet should be completed within three months so that such incidents of dowry demands don’t start picking up in the state.