Family of 9 threatens suicide at Delhi Police HQ as cops ‘refuse to file FIR’ over daughter’s ‘dowry death’

The police, meanwhile, said they are in the process of registering a case.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Balveer, the woman’s father, said she got married in March 2017. “At the time, we spent Rs 15 lakh on her wedding and gave the groom’s family Rs 2 lakh cash, along with a motorcycle, gold and silver jewellery. We also gave Rs 1.75 lakh cash for the groom to buy furniture, fridge and an airconditioner for their new house. We paid this huge sum on that family’s demands,” he said.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, he further alleged that soon after the wedding, the woman’s in-laws began harassing her routinely, seeking more dowry. “They took away the gold and silver jewellery given to her during the wedding, saying that it was for safekeeping,” Balveer said.

“In the first week of January, her in-laws began pressuring her to ask us for another car. When my daughter said that we could not afford such a purchase, they began abusing her and demanding that we pay them an additional Rs 5 lakh for the wedding,” he added.

Unable to take the pressure and harassment, the woman allegedly died by suicide on April 5. The woman’s family alleged that despite their efforts, the police would not take their complaint, prompting them to threaten to take the drastic step in front of the police headquarters.

Responding to the allegations, a senior police officer said they are registering a case under sections of cruelty and abetment of suicide. “The family has submitted a written statement and we shall register a case based on that. The inquest proceedings were taking time, which is why there was a delay in registering the case,” the officer added.