The District Police Office, Siraha, arrested Lalita Pradhan, 48,on June 17 for the charge of evicting Manisha Kumari Gami, 23, of Arnama Rural Municipality-2 over demands for additional dowry. The victim had filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Siraha on May 20 against Mukesh Pradhan Sudi, 24, mother-in-law, and father-in-law Gaurishankar Pradhan Sudi, 50.
Manisha was living together with Mukesh in Kathmandu during her studies after they fell in love. They got married on May 11, 2023, with the consent of both families. The victim stated that, as per the demand made by Mukesh’s father, dowry items including Rs. 10,00,000 in cash, a motorcycle, gold, and furniture worth Rs. 400,000 were provided at the time of marriage. However,after the marriage, on August 22, the accused verbally and physically abused her demanding additional dowry. They also seized the jewelry given as dowry and evicted her from the house. Subsequently, she filed a case against the accused at the court under charges of domestic violence and dowry.
Additionally, the victim alleged that although the accused tried to persuade her to withdraw the case and brought her back home, on May 15, they again physically abused her demanding Rs. 60,00,000 in cash, a car, 20 tolas of gold, and additional cash to purchase land in Bandipur as further dowry, saying she would only be allowed to stay in the house if those demands were fulfilled.
DSP Birendra Kumar Paswan of the District Police Office, Siraha, stated that the accused mother-in-law was arrested during the investigation and that further inquiries are ongoing. He also informed that they are searching for other accused.