Published May 18, 2024 | 11:29 AM ⚊ Updated May 18, 2024 | 11:29 AM
Domestic violence can be physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, as well as financial abuse. (Representational Image. Creative Commons)
Three days after a distressing dowry harassment case came to light in Pantheeramkavu, Kozhikode, Kerala, the police are set to charge the accused husband’s mother and sister under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Earlier, the police had sent summons to both to appear before it for questioning. But they had cited health issues and evaded it.
On Friday, 17 May, a blue-collar notice was issued against the accused husband Rahul P Gopal, who is suspected to have flown to Germany.
A Blue Corner notice is issued by the international police cooperation body, Interpol, to collect additional information from its member countries about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.
The harrowing ordeal unfolded on the sixth day after the marriage.
The victim’s father had alleged that, despite them complaining to the police, there was alleged laxity from the Pantheeramkavu Police in registering the case promptly.
He added, that the police were not enthusiastic to register his complaint, and mocked him.
The father further referring to dowry harassment victims who lost their lives said, “I don’t want my daughter’s fate to be like that of Vismaya and Uthara. I approached the police with that intention. But they mocked me. They told me that the Vismaya case was fabricated by the media.”
It is alleged that the police initially charged Rahul under bailable sections of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
However, following public outcry and protests, authorities finally registered a case against the husband for attempted murder.
Besides the police action, both the Kerala Women’s Commission (KWC) and the State Human Rights Commission are also looking into the issue and have sought reports from the investigating agency.
The Kerala Human Rights Commission has also registered a suo motu case in the incident.
The Human Rights Commission also directed the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner to conduct an inquiry on the alleged laxity of the local police in registering the case. The commission is expected to consider the case in its sitting at Kozhikode in June.
At the same time, Minister Veena George, who handles the women & child development portfolio, earlier said that legal assistance will be provided to the woman, and a direction has been given to the Women and Child Development Department Director to conduct an inquiry.
Terming the assault on the newly married woman as extremely cruel and stating that it shocked the conscience, the Minister had said strong legal action would be taken to prevent people from perpetrating such crimes and recommended that society unite against social evils such as dowry and domestic violence.
Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly VD Satheesan had criticised the police inaction in the case, and asked whether it stands with the victim or the perpetrators.
