While woman survives, Virar man commits suicide; despite 10-mth-old son, wife was harassed for daughter as girls bring in dowry as per family tradition.While cases of women being subjected to harassment for not bearing a son are frequently heard of, a Virar man allegedly stabbed his wife and then committed suicide following strained relations over her not bearing him a daughter.The woman, who survived the attack, has been admitted to Virar Primary Health Centre, where her condition is said to be stable.The accused, Jagaram Chowdhary, 26, runs a grocery shop in Virar and was married to Durga, 23, last year. They have a 10-month-old son and reside in Unique Residency, Virar (W).The couple hail from an orthodox Rajasthani community in which, as per tradition, at the time of marriage it is the boy's family that gives dowry to the girl’s family. Due to this, Chowdhary and his mother have been allegedly harassing Durga for not bearing a daughter.Speaking from her hospital bed, Durga said, “A daughter is seen as an investment in orthodox Rajasthani families as, at the time of marriage, she brings in the dowry. I am the mother of a 10-month-old son, but my mother-in-law would harass and physically torture me to bear a daughter, and due to this there were frequent fights at home.”On August 20, Durga went for Raksha Bandhan to her father's house at Gokul Township in Virar, but ever since refused to return to her husband and inlaws.Her father finally spoke to them and on Wednesday Chowdhary came to pick her up. “The reconciliatory meeting, however, led to a heated argument between the couple during which Chowdhary whipped out a knife and stabbed Durga in the stomach and hand. He also tried to throttle her,” said API S Barge of Arnala Police Station.Durga's parents heard her cries but could do nothing as the door was bolted from inside. Chowdhary then suddenly ran out and locked himself in another room, where he tied a rope to the ceiling fan and hanged himself.Meanwhile, Durga was rushed to Virar PHC. “When her parents returned to the flat, they found that Chowdhary was still locked in the room. Despite frantic efforts they got no response, and eventually called us,” said API Barge. “We forced open the door and found Chowdhary hanging from the fan. We took him to a hospital where he was declared dead.”The police have registered a case of attempt to murder under Section 307 against Chowdhary and are investigating. “We will record Durga’s statement as soon as we can,” said API Barge.“In the meantime, we will question Chowdhary’s mother for her alleged role in tormenting Durga to bear a daughter. Depending on Durga’s statement, the mother may also be arrested,” he added.