NEW DELHI: In yet another reminder of the urgent need to address domestic abuse, a Muslim woman was abused and coerced to such an extent to have sex with her brother-in-law that she took her own life “to protect her dignity” in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. Her husband allegedly did not support her.
The woman is a mother of four children.
The deceased woman’s brother-in-law had allegedly been sexually harassing her and threatening her to submit to his sexual demands. He even threatened harm to her children if she did not comply. The incident came to light when a video was discovered on her phone in which she detailed her distressing ordeal.
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“My brother-in-law wants to have physical relations with me, and I am taking my life to safeguard my honour,” she said in the video which she recorded just before the suicide.
After discovering the video, her brother approached the police and lodged a complaint.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the victim’s husband was aware of the situation but was unable to intervene due to family pressure.
The victim had been married for 12 years, and her brother-in-law’s inappropriate intentions had persisted for an extended period, with the situation worsening as he continued to harass her. Even his wife and son were allegedly involved in pressuring her into engaging in a physical relationship with him, according to Sarataj Ali, the brother of the deceased woman.
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The FIR documented that the woman had endured extreme hostility but had refused to give in to the pressure. Consequently, her brother-in-law and his family continued to subject her to relentless mental torment.
The Muzzafarnagar Police have registered a case against the accused persons, namely Sultan, Asma, and Aman, under Section 306 (abetment to Suicide). An ongoing investigation is now underway to ascertain the full details of this tragic incident.