9 years on, dowry death taint still stuck

Manoj Kumar, who was killed along with his 62-year-old mother by a police constable late on Wednesday, wanted his second wife to work as a teacher after his suspension following allegations of driving his first wife to commit suicide over dowry in 2003.

Manoj Kumar, who was killed along with his 62-year-old mother by a police constable late on Wednesday, wanted his second wife to work as a teacher after his suspension following allegations of driving his first wife to commit suicide over dowry in 2003. Rachna, his first wife, was the constable Vijay Kumar’s brother.

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Manoj was teaching his wife Vijaita in a hut about 500 metres from the house when Kumar came looking for him. “After his suspension, Manoj had begun coaching his wife as she was to take a test for a government job,” Amit, Vijaita’s brother, said.

“Manoj had found employment at a municipal school in April 2005. But Rachna’s father filed a right to information request and a vigilance inquiry was ordered. He was suspended after the inquiry was completed. He had moved the high court against the suspension," Vikrant, Manoj’s colleague, said.

Rachna had not blamed anyone before she died, Vikrant said. “The court had agreed that the 25 days he had spent in jail was enough and acquitted him. He was, however, convicted of harassment,” he added.