Ahmedabad woman accuses husband, in-laws of demanding ₹1 crore dowry and retaining 105 tolas of gold

A 29-year-old woman has lodged a dowry harassment complaint with the Bodakdev Police in Ahmedabad, alleging that her husband and in-laws subjected her to prolonged physical and mental cruelty, demanded a flat or ₹1 crore in cash as dowry, insisted that she secure a job with a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh, and retained gold ornaments weighing 105 tolas along with her personal belongings.

Ektaben Thakkar, who currently resides with her parents in Thaltej and works as an accounts clerk from home, married Sachin Vinodkumar Akhani on April 17, 2022. Following the marriage, she began living with her husband and his parents at their residence near Science City Road in Sola.

The complainant alleged that at the time of her marriage, her parents gifted her approximately 80 tolas of gold jewellery, clothes, utensils and other household articles, while her in-laws presented her with around 25 tolas of gold ornaments. She stated that all her jewellery was entrusted to her mother-in-law for safekeeping shortly after the wedding.

However, around four months later, her mother-in-law allegedly began harassing her over household chores, while her husband gradually joined in the verbal abuse. The complainant further alleged that her father-in-law and sister-in-law also participated in the harassment, resulting in sustained mental distress.

She told police that despite informing her parents about the situation, they encouraged her to remain patient in the hope that the relationship would improve. Instead, she alleged that the harassment intensified, with her husband allegedly assaulting her during domestic disputes and her in-laws repeatedly insulting both her and her parents.

On September 13, 2023, following a meeting between members of both families to resolve the dispute, she attempted to return to her matrimonial home. However, she alleged that her husband locked the flat and refused to allow her inside despite repeated requests.

According to the complaint, her husband and mother-in-law allegedly instructed her to ask her father either to purchase a flat for them or pay ₹1 crore in cash. They also allegedly demanded that her father employ her in his business with a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh, claiming that only then would she be accepted back into the matrimonial home.

Following the incident, she returned to live with her parents. Despite repeated requests over the past two years, her husband and in-laws allegedly failed to return her 105 tolas of gold jewellery, clothes and other wedding gifts.

On June 22, 2026, she visited her husband's residence again seeking the return of her jewellery and belongings. However, she alleged that she was denied entry into the house and was forced to leave without recovering any of her possessions.

Based on her complaint, Bodakdev Police have registered a case against her husband, Sachin Vinodkumar Akhani; her mother-in-law, Alkaben Vinodkumar Akhani; her father-in-law, Vinodkumar Amrutlal Akhani; and her sister-in-law, Bhumi Soni.

Police have initiated an investigation into the dowry harassment, cruelty and property retention allegations.