Ahmedabad woman accuses Aurangabad-based husband, in-laws of dowry harassment, physical abuse

Ahmedabad Police have registered a case against a man from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, and his family members after his wife alleged sustained physical and mental harassment, dowry demands and abuse following their marriage in 2023.

An FIR filed at Chandkheda police station by Pushpa aka Payal Salve states that she married Punyavardhan Chandrabhan Salve in June 2023, after disclosing to him and his family that she had been married earlier. Following the wedding, she moved to Aurangabad to live with her husband and his joint family, taking along her jewellery and a two-wheeler registered in her name.

Pushpa alleged that within days of the marriage, her husband, along with her in-laws — mother-in-law Gayaben, father-in-law Chandrabhan, brother-in-law Shubham, and sister-in-law Rupali — began harassing her over “insufficient dowry”, pressuring her for a gold chain and cash. The complaint also states that her husband was an alcoholic, frequently assaulted her, and carried on an affair with another woman.

The complainant further alleged that despite being prescribed anti-pregnancy medication, her husband and family members coerced her into trying for a child and forced her to take medicines. When she conceived, her in-laws allegedly taunted her and subjected her to repeated abuse. On May 16, 2024, while she was still pregnant, she claimed she was beaten and thrown out of the house, with threats of being falsely implicated in a criminal case.

Pushpa later delivered a son in July 2024 in Ahmedabad. She stated that her husband denied paternity of the child and refused to support her or the newborn. Since then, she has been living with her parents in Chandkheda along with her two children.

She also alleged that her brother-in-law Ganesh instigated her husband against her by spreading false allegations, worsening her marital discord. The FIR notes that repeated efforts by her family to reconcile were met with threats and further abuse.

Police said a case has been registered under sections of domestic violence, dowry harassment and criminal intimidation. Police added that further inquiries are underway.