Bhubaneswar: Dowry torture is still rampant in Odisha which is understood from two such cases were reported today. In one case, a young woman was burnt to death by her in-laws whereas the other woman was burnt from neck to toe leaving aside the face.
Pravat Baral, brother of Mili Pradhan, one of dowry torture victims and resident of Gokan village of Pipili, today filed a police complaint in Pipili alleging her sister was burnt after pouring kerosene on her.
Though husband Naba Pradhan and her mother-in-law brought Mili to the Capital Hospital, doctors declared the lady as dead.
Following the police complaint, the Pipili arrested Naba Pradhan and his mother.
Pravat Barala, brother of Mili, said, “Her husband used to beat my sister in an inebriated state. Recently I had given Rs 10,000 to Naba Pradhan as per the demand to buy a motorcycle.”
Pravat further stated, “But he (Naba) thrashed my sister and burnt her to death after pouring kerosene.”
Kabita Sahu, SI, Pipili police station, said, “We got a complaint today morning alleging the complainant’s sister has been burnt to death and her body is at the Capital hospital. The body is completely burnt and details will be elicited after investigation only.”
In a similar incident, Roji Pardia of Kakarudrapur village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, was burnt by her husband and in-laws in front of her one-year-old daughter six months back.
Pinku Pradhan, a native of Banarapala of Angul district, whom Roji married after falling in love poured piping hot rice water and acid on her for dowry money.
But with the help of some neighbours, Roji was undergoing treatment at Kulei hospital after the incident. When no attendant turned up to take care of Roji in the hospital, the victim went to her paternal house at Kakarudrapur.
Later some social activists brought Roji to the Capital Hospital for treatment. As necessary operation facility is not available at the hospital in Bhubaneswar, she was referred to the SCB hospital in Cuttack.
Roji Parida, the victim, said, “My husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law poured kerosene on me and set me on fire. I took the help of a vehicle and reached the hospital. After borrowing Rs 10 from one of my known persons and telling him in detail, I got some help.”
Meanwhile, the State Women’s Commission said immediate action will be taken once Roji’s health condition improves.
Snheanjali Mohanty, member, the State Women’s Commission, said, “The immediate thing is to provide her treatment and now we are taking her to SCB. All kind of facilities will be provided to her.”