ranchi

Updated: May 13, 2019 08:41 IST

A 22-year-old woman and her one-year-old daughter were allegedly burnt alive for dowry, in a village at Deoghar district on Saturday night by her husband and in-laws.

Police said Rukshana Biwi and her daughter were allegedly doused with kerosene and set ablaze by her husband, Khurshid Ansari, and his family at Buchi village, around 15 kms from the district headquarters, under Devipur police station limits.

Rukshana, a resident of Chetnari village under Margomunda police station limits of Deoghar, was married to Ansari in 2017. Ansari worked at a private factory in West Bengal’s Howrah, while his wife stayed with his parents in the village.

Dushyant Singh, Devipur police station officer-in-charge (OC), said that Ansari and his parents used to harass Rukhsana for dowry. On Saturday, Rukshana’s mother had come to meet her daughter to reportedly take her back. But Ansari and his parents did not allow Rukshana to leave.

On Sunday morning, neighbours informed police about the stench emanating from Ansari’s locked house, following which police reached the spot, and found the charred bodies.

Singh said that Ansari and his parents were absconding, and raids were being conducted to nab the accused. Police were in the process of registering an FIR. Statements of the deceased’s family were being recorded, the OC said

“Prima facie it appears to be a dowry death. Considering the evidence at the spot, accidental death because of fire is ruled out,” the officer said.

Son hacks mother to death after being refused Rs 150 for booze

A 20-year-old man was sent to jail on Sunday for allegedly murdering his mother at Jameera village under Chapartola panchayat of Latehar district.

Mohan Pandey, officer-in-charge, Chandwa police station said that Rajesh Oraon (20) asked Rs 150 from his mother, Rago Devi (45) on Saturday. After his mother refused, the Rajesh hacked her to death with an axe. After the incident, Oraon snatched away the money. Village residents later informed police about the incident, he said.

In his confession, the Rajesh said that he was infuriated as his mother did not provide him money for having booze, the officer said.

Dowry deaths have been continuous in the state and even efforts by the state government and various non-governmental organisations have proved to be futile.

In December last year, a woman was allegedly burnt alive by her in-laws after she failed to provide with adequate dowry after her marriage. Similarly, in September last year, a woman was burnt to death over dowry in West Singhbhum.