Police neglect dowry harassment as 'family matter'

Mysuru: A woman who was tortured and harassed by her husband over dowry issue was neglected by the police when she went to seek relief saying it was a family problem. The incident took place in Nanjangudu.

The victim Rathnamma is a resident of Udbur village. She was married to Aiyappa of Yenchagundla village of Nanjangudu. They are the parents of a four year old child. Aiyappa was a chronic alcoholic. He initially sold all of Rathnamma’s jewellery and spent all the dowry money which was given during the marriage. He later started forcing Rathnamma to befriend unknown men to provide him money to meet his alcoholic needs. He threatened to kill her if she refused to do so.

Rathnamma was unable to bear the torture. She left behind her child and moved back to her parents place one midnight.  Her parents convinced her to go back to her husband’s house. When all the attempts failed, Rathnamma went to seek help from the police.

She lodged a complaint at the Nanjangudu police station but the police ignore her complaint and did not file the complaint saying it was a family matter between a married couple and asked her to solve the matter herself.

Rathnamma and her parents have been visiting the police station repeatedly from the past two months to seek possession of the child and to avail protection from the torturous husband but are returning empty hand.