Housewife killed in another dowry death

A 30-year-old housewife was allegedly killed by her husband and in-laws’ in the outskirts of the city at Baranagar. The victim Sanjukta Sen’s family members lodged a complaint with the police against her in-laws on October 12 alleging that she was murdered, but are yet to get the post mortem report.

Police said that Sanjukta, who was a resident of Kestopur, was married to Palash Sen of Baranagar in 2007. Despite knowing that the girl was not from an affluent family, Palash had taken Rs 1 lakh case, a refrigerator, washing machine and cupboard as dowry.

After six months of their marriage, the victim’s husband and her in-laws started forcing her to bring more money from her parents. The situation turned worse for her when she refused to approach her parents for any more money and they started beating her up.

Her father-in-law, who was an alcoholic, used to beat her up when she was pregnant. As a result she gave birth to a premature baby. A few months after the birth of their children, the victim’s husband had once again asked for money to expand his business. But it was not possible for her mother, who was widow, and her brother to give that amount of money.

The victim was also not allowed to enter her room in her in-law’s house after a brief stay in her parents’ residence. Finally, her parents had moved to the court and lodged a complaint against Palash. In a bid to avoid rigorous punishment, Palash had settled the matter with his wife. But the torture began within the next few days.

On October 12, her brother had received a phone call from Baranagar police station and policemen claimed that his sister entered the police station in an inebriated state. The victim’s mother and brother rushed to the spot and found her lying in an unconscious state in the police station.

She was taken to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She was later shifted to Beliaghata ID Hospital where she had succumbed to her injuries. Her family members claimed that her death was a planned murder. But the police are yet to disclose the post mortem report.