Parents allege dowry death, block highway

Kathua, April 22

Family members of Monika, who died at her in-laws’ house in Datyal village of Punjab on Saturday, held a protest and blocked the busy Jammu-Pathankot National Highway at the Palli morh of Kathua for an hour on Sunday.

Alleging that she was murdered by her in-laws, her parents along with other villagers placed her body on the road, staged a demonstration and raised slogans against the Punjab Police for their “inaction”. Monika of Palli was married to Rahul Kumar of Datyal about four months back. The woman’s parents alleged that their daughter was harassed and physically tortured to get more dowry.

Her brother Bharat Bushan said, “Our sister was putting up at our house as she was repeatedly tortured by her in-laws. Two days back, her in-laws took her back to their house, promising us that they would not torture her.” However, on Sunday morning, the parents received information that their daughter had died at her in-laws’ house.

Alleging that it was a clear case of murder, they lodged a complaint against Rahul and his family, but the Punjab Police failed to initiate any action against the accused. After receiving information about the highway blockade, Tehsildar and Station House Officer reached the spot and assured protesters that they would take up the matter with the Punjab Police and provide justice to the family. On this assurance, the protesters lifted the blockade. — OC