Woman killed over dowry, parents blame in-laws

Cuttack: A woman was allegedly killed by her in-laws for dowry at Paikerapur village under Gurudijhatia tehsil of Cuttack district on Thursday.

The deceased, identified as Puja from Jenapur village under Khuntuni police limits here, was married to Bhikari Rout for two-and-half years.

As per the allegation of the woman’s family, she was being tortured by her husband's family for money for past one year. Reportedly, Puja's family had already given a sum of Rs 2 lakh as dowry. However, her in-laws had been asking for more and tortured her regularly.

Puja was admitted to a local hospital in a critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries, sources added.

“When I asked the doctor, he said that my daughter is already dead. She has been murdered by her in-laws. They had been demanding more money because of which Puja was regularly being tortured there,” alleged her mother.

The woman's family has registered a case alleging that their daughter was being tortured by her in-laws since the day of marriage owing to various demands. They also stated that Puja was under severe mental duress due to torture over dowry-related issues.

"The woman's family has alleged that Puja was killed by her husband and her in-laws. We have registered a case under IPC Sections 498, 323, 294, 304(B) 302, 34 and 4 Dowry Prohibition Act. The body has been sent for post-mortem. We will know the cause once we get the post-mortem report. All the persons involved will be arrested and further investigation is on," said the investigating officer.