The Khaira police expediting a case of burn injuries related to dowry torture have detained the mother-in-law of a newlywed bride.
Anita Parida (18), wife of Gouranga Parida of Saddikpur village under Shyamsundarpur GP, was undergoing treatment in the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, after sustaining severe burn injuries following her initial admission in the District Headquarters Hospital.
Anita, daughter of Jagabandhu Parida of village Kalajhatia under the Oupada police limits, had married to Gouranga four months ago on June 18 as per Hindu customs and rituals meeting the demands.
The parents of the victim alleged that after a few days of solemnization of marriage their daughter was tortured both physically and mentally for Rs 1 lakh. As they were not able to meet the demand, she was subjected to more and more torture by her in-laws including brother of the husband .
There were several rounds of meetings with the village gentries to resolve the issue but in vain.
The parents further mentioned that on Monday at around 7 am, they received a phone call from Anita where she asked them to take her along with them, else the in-laws would kill her.
Around 7.30 am, just about 30 minutes later, they received information from the in-laws that Anita met with a fire accident. The in-laws while maintained that Anita set herself on fire, the parents alleged that the former committed heinous offence in order to eliminate their daughter. The mother of the victim lodged an FIR with police.
The police registering a case under relevant sections of dowry torture detained mother –in-law Annapurna Parida in this connection and an investigation.