A newly wed woman was murdered by In-laws as her family was unable to fulfill additional dowry demand. Officials on Saturday said that Sapna, wife of wife of Narendra Chauhan, was found hanging with ceiling fan at her marital house in Kotwa village, under the Maniyar Police Station area in Ballia. 

The position in which her body was discovered suggested that she committed suicide, police said. Police reached at crime location as soon the information was received and took the body into custody before sending it for post-mortem, Maniyar Station House Officer Ratnesh Dubey stated.  

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Sapna’s maternal grandfather, Babbu Chauhan filed an FIR naming five members of the family. 

"The FIR names her husband, Narendra Chauhan, his sister, Champa Devi, and two sisters-in-law, Puja Devi and Reena Devi. They were booked under sections of the BNS and Dowry Prohibition Act," the SHO said.

According to the FIR, Sapna and Narendra Chauhan’s wedding took place on March 2, 2025. The complaint mentioned that nearly four lakh along with gold chain and a ring was given to Sapna’s in laws as a dowry. Spna’s family gave Rs 90, 000 via bank transfer, and three lakh rupees in cash to her in-laws. Despite this, they allegedly continued to harass her for buller motorcycle and an additional 3 lakh rupees. 

When Sapna's family expressed their inability to fulfil these demands, she was allegedly murdered. Her body was then hung by a dupatta from a fan hook in an attempt to stage the death as a suicide, the police said.

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Champa Devi, Puja Devi and Reena Devi were sent to judicial custody after completing the necessary legal formalities. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to arrest Sapna's husband.

 

With Inputs From PTI