A heartbreaking incident has come to light from Mehsana district of Gujarat, which has embarrassed the entire country. A 28 -year -old married woman was forced by her in -laws to put her ‘loyalty’ and ‘purity’ in the Garita village of Vijapur taluka and forced her to put hands in boiling oil. In this inhuman act, the woman’s hand and legs have been badly burnt. The police have registered a case against the in -laws on the basis of the victim’s complaint and started investigation.
Torture continues even after 13 years of marriage:
The victim, who is the mother of two children, was married 13 years ago. She was upset with the tortures being given by her in -laws’ side for the past several months. On 16 September, this torture reached its peak, when her sister -in -law along with her brothers hatched a cruel conspiracy. The woman told the police that her sister -in -law used to constantly doubt her character and taunt her. She was fed up with the quarrels and abuses that occur, but the September 16 incident crossed all limits.
Boiling oil’s ‘fire examination’:
According to the FIR, the sister -in -law and the brother -in -law decided to test the woman’s ‘purity’. He heated the oil in a vessel and when he started boiling, he asked the victim to put his hand in it. When the victim flatly refused to do so, she started assaulting her. They forcibly pushed her towards the stove, causing her hand to go into the boiling oil. The victim started screaming, but even after hearing her voice, the accused did not sweat.
Wounds of severe burns on the body:
The harassment did not stop here. The victim told the police that her sister also put hot oil on her right leg and threatened that if she kept making noise, she would be killed. Hearing the scream of the woman, her father and nearby people reached the spot. He immediately rescued the victim and admitted her to a private hospital. Doctors have confirmed the wounds of severe burns on his hands and legs. This incident shows the superstition prevailing in the society and the magnitude of violence against women.
Police registered case, investigation continues:
The next day of the incident, the victim gathered courage and lodged a complaint at the Vijapur police station. The police have registered a case under several sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) against Nand and his brothers based on the victim’s statement and hospital report. These include sections 115 (serious injury), 351 (attack) and 352 (criminal intimidation). The police have also recorded statements of eyewitnesses present on the spot and are investigating the matter intensively.
Legal provisions and society responsibility:
This case is not only a case of domestic violence, but also shows how superstition and patriarchal thinking is still deeply rooted in our society. Doubting the character of the woman, giving her such a barbaric ‘fire examination’, reflects medieval thinking. This incident raises serious questions on the situation of women’s safety and respect in the society. Police and law are playing their role, but society also needs to change its mindset. The law is not only enough to prevent such crimes, but social awareness and education is also necessary.
The police have assured that the accused will be arrested soon and they will be punished severely. The courage of the victim is being appreciated, as her complaint has exposed this heinous crime. This incident is a warning for all women who are victims of domestic violence, and motivate them to raise their voice against it.
