BHOPAL: A 21-year-old newlywed woman died after consuming acid in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, allegedly unable to bear the daily harassment by her in-laws who demanded a ‘Murrah’ buffalo as dowry. Police have registered a case against her husband and four family members for dowry harassment and abetment to suicide.Vimlesh Baghel got married to Dinesh Baghel of Madhoganj on Jan 31, 2024. Soon after the wedding, her husband’s family allegedly began pressuring her to bring a Murrah buffalo—a high-yield breed valued around Rs 2 lakh—to support their dairy business. According to Vimlesh’s family, she faced constant physical and mental abuse.“They beat her almost every day, demanding the Murrah buffalo from my herd. She often called me in tears but refused to file a complaint,” a family member told police.On Sept 20, the harassment allegedly turned violent. The following day, Vimlesh consumed acid in despair. She was taken to the hospital, where she died during treatment.Police registered an FIR 26 days later, on Oct 17, against her husband Dinesh Baghel, father-in-law Imrat Baghel, mother-in-law Vidya Bai, brother-in-law Harisingh, and sister-in-law Bhavana Baghel. All five are absconding.
