Man burns wife with heated knife over dowry, 5 booked

Pilibhit: A 32-year-old farmer allegedly heated a knife on a stove and burned the thighs and private parts of his 27-year-old wife over dowry demands in Bareilly district, police said on Saturday.Police said the woman was married on May 21, 2021. Despite her parents giving dowry within their means, her husband and in-laws allegedly demanded a motorcycle and Rs 1 lakh in cash. She claimed she endured physical and mental harassment for nearly two years before returning to her parental home in Pilibhit and filing a case in a Bareilly family court.Earlier this month, her husband brought her back home on the pretext of a compromise. However, she alleged that the demands resumed and she was assaulted when she refused to comply. On Feb 16, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law allegedly held her down while her husband burned her thighs and private parts with a heated knife.The following day, he allegedly burned her throat with the knife, with the assistance of family members. She was also threatened with death if she disclosed the abuse. The woman managed to contact her brother, who, along with a dial 112 police team, rescued her and took her to her parents' house. She later received medical treatment for her injuries.Sungarhi SHO Naresh Kumar Tyagi said, "A case was registered on Friday evening against the husband, his parents and siblings, and an investigation is underway. The accused have been booked under BNS sections 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 118(1) (causing hurt by dangerous means, including fire), along with provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act."