‘Forced to drink sanitiser, molested for dowry’: UP cop alleges rape at gunpoint by brother-in-law

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A 27-year-old woman constable posted in UP’s Pilibhit has alleged that her husband and six of his family members tortured her over an SUV dowry demand, forced her to drink sanitiser and repeatedly molested her, The Times of India reported.

Based on the woman’s complaint, an case was registered on Sunday night. Bisalpur Kotwali SHO was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the woman's husband, his parents, two elder brothers and their wives have been charged under BNS sections 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

He said additional sections may be invoked after verification during the investigation.

The woman’s husband, also a UP Police constable posted in Gautam Buddha Nagar, married her on January 26, 2023, in Meerut. In her complaint, she stated that her father spent ₹50 lakh on the wedding and provided a car, jewellery and other gifts.

Despite this, her in-laws allegedly continued to demand an SUV. She further alleged that her husband’s elder brother repeatedly molested her and raped her at gunpoint on October 5 this year at her husband’s house in Meerut. An FIR was registered against him at Kharkhauda police station following the incident, the report added.

She also claimed that on September 5, after she found her husband in an objectionable situation with his sister-in-law, she was forcibly made to drink sanitiser. Her parents then admitted her to a private medical institute in Meerut, where she underwent intensive treatment.

The woman alleged she was made to take medicines for “embryonic transformation” during pregnancy because her husband and father-in-law wanted a male child. When she refused, she was assaulted. As a result, her newborn son reportedly developed seizures due to injuries sustained in the womb.

Despite the abuse, she said she endured the violence “to save her marriage” for the sake of her child. However, her husband allegedly began threatening her with divorce, and the situation worsened despite her parents’ repeated attempts to intervene.