Bopal Woman Allegedly Pretends To Be Possessed, Attacks 20 Relatives During Family Dispute

A married woman from Bopal allegedly pretended to be possessed and attacked around 20 members of her in-laws’ family during a reconciliation meeting after they allegedly decided to evict her from their home. The dispute reportedly began after her husband and in-laws learned that she had been in contact with another man through Instagram. The 181 Abhayam women’s helpline team reached the spot, counselled both sides and helped resolve the dispute.

Woman Allegedly Starts Acting ‘Possessed’

The incident came to light after a woman from Bopal contacted the 181 Abhayam helpline in panic, saying that her niece-in-law had suddenly started behaving as if she were possessed and was attacking family members.

The Abhayam team reached the location and found the woman sitting on a sofa, staring wide-eyed and allegedly acting as though she was possessed. The team calmed her down and took her to another room for questioning.

During the discussion, the circumstances behind the family dispute emerged.

Woman Alleges Harassment By In-Laws

The woman had married a man from a higher caste through a love marriage and the couple has a two-year-old daughter.

According to the woman, her in-laws repeatedly taunted her over her caste after the marriage and also imposed restrictions on what she could wear. She further claimed that her husband had stopped providing her with love and support, leaving her mentally distressed.

During this period, she came into contact with another man through Instagram.

After her in-laws allegedly learned about the relationship, they reportedly forced her to leave the house around 10 days ago.

Family Meeting Turns Violent

A reconciliation meeting was later organised at a relative’s house, with members of both families present.

During the meeting, the in-laws allegedly told the woman that they no longer wanted her to stay in the house. They also reportedly said that they would keep her two-year-old daughter with them.

Fearing separation from her daughter and recalling advice from a friend, the woman allegedly pretended to be possessed and began attacking relatives who tried to stop her.

Around 20 members of her in-laws’ family were allegedly assaulted during the incident.

181 Abhayam Team Counsels Both Sides

The Abhayam team counselled the woman and told her that violence should not be used to deal with disputes involving domestic issues or custody of her child. She was advised to seek legal assistance through the 181 helpline, police or court.

The team also counselled her husband and in-laws.

Following the counselling, both sides reportedly acknowledged their mistakes and assured the team that they would ensure such a situation did not happen again. The dispute was subsequently resolved.

Woman Reveals Mother’s Death During Counselling

During the counselling session, the woman broke down and revealed that her mother had died by suicide in the past after allegedly facing domestic violence at her in-laws’ home.

She said that despite entering a love marriage, she was experiencing similar harassment in her marital home.

According to the source material, the discussion about keeping her two-year-old daughter with the in-laws during the reconciliation meeting triggered her reaction. She allegedly staged the possession act in an attempt to protect her daughter and retaliate against her in-laws.