Lucknow: A 26-year-old woman, Madhu Singh who married a Merchant Navy officer five months ago was found dead in her Lucknow home under suspicious circumstances.
The deceased's father, Fateh Bahadur Singh, a resident of Indiranagar, in his complaint stated that his daughter was married to Anurag, a resident of Unnao, on Feb 25.
They had met via a matrimonial site. Anurag worked as a second officer in a Hong Kong-based ship management firm. The deceased's family has alleged that at the time of the wedding, he demanded Rs 15 lakh as dowry.
According to NDTV, WhatsApp chats shared by her family show Anurag insisting on Rs 15 lakh as dowry, as Madhu's family members say they can only manage Rs 5 lakh.
The chat also reveals Anurag telling Madhu's family that he will have only 150 guests, but that he cannot lower the dowry demand. Singh has stated in his complaint that Anurag called repeatedly after the wedding and pressed for dowry.
Less than a month after the wedding, Anurag assaulted Madhu for the first time and she returned to her parents' home. Her father then paid the dowry demanded for and Anurag took her back, but the torture continued.
"My daughter had become pregnant, but he forced her to abort," he has said in the complaint.
Madhu's sister has alleged, the deceased was once thrashed by Anurag for not keepping the bottle right in front of him.
On August 3 (Sunday), Madhu had told Priya that Anurag had assaulted her. "I believe he has killed my daughter," Madhu's father has said.
On Aug 4, Singh received a phone call from Anurag, informing him that Madhu was no more.
Allegations Of Extra-Marital Affairs
Singh has accused Anurag of having an extramarital affair and said that between July 31 and Aug 1, Anurag was seen with another woman at a hotel in Lucknow.
Madhu had read chats between Anurag and his ex-girlfriend on his phone and shared them with her sister.
Arrest and Charges
The police have arrested Anurag. During interrogation, he said Madhu died by suicide, but when questioned about what could have pushed her to take the extreme step, he did not have an answer. He has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section relating to cruelty and under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
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