In an alleged case of abetment to suicide due to dowry demand in Tanda village in Hoshiarpur district, the police have failed to file a challan in court, even as the crime occurred 20 months ago.
The victim, Ravinder Kaur, a native of Bhatnoora Khurd village in Kapurthala, consumed a poisonous substance in 2011, after alleged persistent dowry harassment from her in-laws, Surinder Kaur and Amarjeet.
Her husband, Dalip Singh, who had been in Italy for three years before the incident, had also sent an affidavit, duly attested by Consulate General of India of Milan (Italy), stating that his parents forced Ravinder Kaur to consume poison, the complainant in the case, Ravinder's uncle, ex-serviceman Surjit Singh said. Surjit had been Ravinder's guardian since she was 4.
"The police have been pressuring me to take back the case. I and my relatives are being threatened of being booked in false cases," he alleged.
The police had previously registered a case under Section 306 (abetment to suicide), he said.
"When I demanded the registration of a dowry case, SP Rajinder Singh conducted an inquiry and on his recommendation, a case under Section 304-B (dowry death) was attached to the charge sheet,” Surjeet Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}"When I demanded the registration of a dowry case, SP Rajinder Singh conducted an inquiry and on his recommendation, a case under Section 304-B (dowry death) was attached to the charge sheet,” Surjeet Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}"However, the Tanda police are yet to arrest the accused, under thre pressure exerted by the in-laws. Even the challan of the case has not been presented in court.”
“I have moved my complaint to the IGP and demanded justice. I want justice and safety.”
When contacted, Tanda DSP Harjinder Singh denied that the police had threatened Surjit.
“All his apprehensions are wrong. I met him three days ago and had assured him of getting justice. Procedural matters had delayed the presentation of the challan, which will be filed within two days,” he said.