A disturbing case of alleged dowry harassment and domestic cruelty has surfaced from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where a married woman has accused her husband and in-laws of demanding a buffalo as dowry, subjecting her to physical and mental abuse, and forcing her out of her matrimonial home. She has also made a serious allegation that her husband is involved in an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law.

“They won’t keep me without a buffalo”

Breaking down before the police, the woman said her husband works in a multinational company in Noida and earns a good salary, yet continues to demand dowry. According to her complaint, she was married to Shyamji Yadav in 2019. Soon after the wedding, her husband, brother-in-law, and other family members allegedly began pressuring her to bring a buffalo as dowry, saying she would not be allowed to stay in the house until their demand was fulfilled.

Torture continued despite panchayats

Initially, the woman endured the alleged torture, but later returned to her parents’ home. Several panchayats were held, after which she was sent back to her in-laws’ house. However, she claims their behaviour did not change. Even after she gave birth to a son, the dowry demand allegedly continued.

About three and a half years ago, she was reportedly thrown out of the house for failing to bring the buffalo and has since been living with her parents.

“My father is poor, how could he afford a buffalo?”

The woman told police that her father is financially weak and cannot afford such an expensive demand. Despite repeated attempts by her and her family to reconcile and convince the in-laws, they refused to take her back. Multiple panchayats were organised, but the matter remained unresolved.

Allegation of illicit relationship

The victim further alleged that her husband earns around ₹80,000 per month while working at a private company in Noida, yet still harassed her for dowry. She claimed that he has an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law and, at her insistence, assaulted her and forced her out of the house. Currently, the woman is staying at her parental home and trying to support herself.

Police action initiated

After attempts at reconciliation failed, the woman approached the women’s cell and later filed a formal complaint. Based on her statement, the police have registered an FIR against her husband and five other in-laws under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.