In the quaint village of Barambaki, nestled amidst the rolling fields of Uttar Pradesh, a brides wedding night was shrouded not in the warmth of marital bliss but in the cold absence of a quilt. This seemingly simple household item became the symbol of a much deeper struggle—one of dowry harassment that marred what should have been a joyous occasion. The victims complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) brought the case to the Family Counseling Center, leaving even the seasoned counselors shocked.How marriage turns sourThe young woman, hailing from the Masauli police station area, married a man employed on a contract basis at a government hospital in Lucknow. Their wedding, which took place on February 25, 2024, initially seemed like the start of a happy chapter. Tragically, the brides joy quickly turned to despair due to the rude behavior of her mother-in-law upon her arrival at the in-laws house.Dowry demands take a tollOn her first night at her in-laws home, the bride found herself isolated on the second floor of the house until 10 PM, without anyone offering her tea or water. When she finally asked her mother-in-law for her room, she discovered it was devoid of a quilt, a necessity during the chilly February nights.When the bride inquired about the missing quilt, her mother-in-law coldly responded that since her family hadnt provided a quilt as dowry, she would have to sleep without one. Desperately, she asked for the sheet her belongings were tied in, only to be told to take it as it belonged to her mothers house. Eventually, her husband brought a quilt in the middle of the night.Marriage stalled by maliceDespite the initial relief, the brides wedding night remained uncelebrated. Her husband stayed with her for the next two nights but then left for his elder brothers house, returning only after four days. Even then, the wedding night did not occur. When her mother-in-law later mocked her about the unconsummated marriage, she was met with a response that underscored her sons adherence to his mothers wishes.Persistent abuse and humiliationThe bride endured continued harassment and humiliation. Her mother-in-law accused her family of insulting them by not providing sufficient dowry, including television, and used this as justification for delaying the wedding night.Plea for justiceAfter fifteen days of enduring this abuse, the bride managed to return to her maternal home with her brother. Despite her efforts to call her husband back during Navratri, he refused to come. Frustrated and heartbroken, she filed a complaint with the SP, which finally led to an official investigation.
