Uttar Pradesh Woman Burnt To Death By Husband Over Triple Talaq Complaint, Says Family

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly burnt to death by her husband and in-laws in Uttar Pradesh ’s Shravasti district for approaching the police about being given triple talaq , reports said. While the police have, according to PTI, said it was a case of dowry death her family has insisted she was killed because she had refused to accept the triple talaq given to her by her husband over the phone.

According to Superintendent of Police Ashish Srivastava, the incident was reported on Friday from Gadra village near the India-Nepal border.

He said a case of dowry death has been registered against eight persons on the basis of the complaint of the victim Saeeda’s family, and her husband and father-in law have been arrested.

“So far, no talaq angle has emerged. If it emerges, action will be taken accordingly,” he said.

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Saeeda’s father Ramzan, according to PTI, said that his daughter was often beaten up by her husband Nafees and in-laws and on 6 August, she was divorced over the phone. 

The Parliament had last month passed a bill that makes the practice of instant triple talaq a criminal offence. While the bill has been hailed by women activists, some have also criticised it, saying it should be a civil and not criminal offence. 

Ramzan, according to The Times of India , also said that Saeeda went to file a complaint, but the “police did not register a case and sent her home telling her to let her husband return from Mumbai. When Nafees arrived on 15 August, police summoned the couple, talked to them and told Saeeda to stay with Nafees.”

Ramzan said that Nafees took Saeeda home after both sides reached a compromise. He and his family members then killed Saeeda and burnt her body, Ramzan said, adding that this was done in the presence of his six-year-old grand daughter, according to PTI.

Police has, however, denied that Saeeda’s family had approached them for any compromise and said it was a case of dowry death. 

“Saeeda’s husband and her father-in-law have been arrested,” SP Srivastava said, adding action against others will be taken based on investigation. He also told The Times of India that Ramzan’s allegations about triple talaq will be probed.

Other cases of instant triple talaq after Parliament passed the bill

- A 31-year-old man was arrested on 16 August near Kozhikode for allegedly giving instant triple talaq to his wife. In her complaint, the woman said her husband came to her home and said triple talaq in front of her parents. However, the family of the accused denied all the allegations and said there was an agreement between the husband and the wife to enter into a mutual divorce.

- On 10 August, a 38-year-old man was arrested in north Delhi’s Azad market area after his wife alleged that he divorced her through triple talaq after more than six years of marriage due to “non-fulfilment of the demand of dowry” in June this year.

(With PTI inputs)