UP man pushes blind wife into bonfire for dowry, kills her

Sushma married Raju Gautam under Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme on January 30, 2024; Raju allegedly demanded cash, motorcycle as dowry

Bhadohi: A 30-year-old blind woman died of burn injuries after she was allegedly pushed by her husband into a fire for dowry last month, police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred at Sarai Mishrani village in Gopiganj, where Sushma sustained severe burns last month and died on Saturday, police sources said.

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Based on a complaint by her father, Ram Murat Gautam, an FIR was lodged against her husband, Raju Gautam, under Sections 304B (dowry death), 498A (cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Efforts are under way to nab the accused, who is absconding, Circle Officer Chaman Singh Chawda said. He said Sushma, from Kaudhar village in Suriyawan, was married to Raju Gautam (35) under the Chief Minister’s Mass Marriage Scheme on January 30, 2024.

Her family alleged that Raju, who had been married three times before and has two daughters from his previous marriages, was demanding cash and a motorcycle as dowry.

According to the FIR on December 13, 2024, Raju allegedly had his daughters light a bonfire and then pushed Sushma into it after an argument.

Despite her critical injuries, Raju did not seek medical help and later abandoned her at her sister’s home in Janaki Nagar, Prayagraj, on December 15, 2024.

Sushma’s family took her to multiple hospitals for treatment, but her condition did not improve. On Saturday, they brought her to the Gopiganj Community Health Centre, where she died during treatment.

Chawda said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and an investigation is under way.