Woman 'tortured' for dowry dies of burn injuries

Kolkata: A woman in Narendrapur in South 24-Parganas died of burn injuries after she allegedly set herself on fire. It is further alleged the woman took the extreme step as her husband and in-laws tortured her for dowry.

According to sources, Santoshi Pramanik of Nepalgunge at Bishnupur in South 24-Parganas got married to Uttam Pramanik of Bonhooghly in Narendrapur approximately seven years ago. During their marriage Santoshi's family reportedly gave the couple several furniture and other valuables as dowry. Approximately after a year, Santoshi gave birth to a baby. Till then, there were no problems between the couple or with the in-laws.

But, after a few months, Uttam Pramanik and his family members allegedly started demanding money from Santoshi's family. They use to allegedly taunt Santoshi regarding the things her father gave them during their marriage and claimed the items they received during the dowry were not good. After another a few months Uttam forced her to go to her father to get more money. When she refused, Uttam and his family members allegedly beat her many times. Altercation between them over money had become frequent.

A few years ago, she had told her father about the torture and her father had arranged for some money as well. But, that money did not made Uttam happy. He continued torturing Santoshi to get more money. Santoshi's sister alleged that on April 23 Uttam reportedly called Santoshi's father and told that she had set herself on fire. Later, Santoshi was admitted at the M R Bangur Hospital in a critical condition.

Sources informed that during her statement to the doctors, Santoshi reportedly told that she tried to commit suicide as she was not able to bear the torture by her husband and in-laws.

Late on Saturday night, Santoshi succumbed to her burn injuries at the M R Bangur hospital. Later, Santoshi's family lodged a complaint against her husband and his mother at the Narendrapur police station claiming that Uttam set her on fire. But as Santoshi's statement before the doctors were different, a case has been initiated at the Narendrapur police station under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC against the accused persons named in the FIR. None could be traced till Sunday as the accused persons had absconded.