On the 25th, police in Uttar Pradesh, India cracked a suspected vicious dowry-related murder case. A 26-year-old woman, Paira, was burned to death by her husband Bhati for failing to meet her in-laws' demands for a dowry worth 3.5 million rupees (about 16.8 ringgit) and a luxury car.
According to Uttar Pradesh police, during the arrest, Bhati attempted to escape and was shot in the leg by police. In addition, Bhati's parents and his 28-year-old brother, among other suspects, were also taken into custody.
According to multiple foreign media reports, on the 21st, local police received a report from a private hospital regarding a patient, Paira, who had sustained severe burns all over her body. She died on the way to a hospital in Delhi. Local police said that preliminary evidence suggested Paira was doused in a highly flammable substance and set on fire. Furthermore, police are investigating the murder from multiple angles and are examining suspected abuse videos posted on social media by the victim's sister.
According to the victim's family, since Paira and her sister married into the Bhati family in 2016, both have suffered long-term abuse and ongoing dowry extortion. Although the bride's side had already provided an SUV, a Royal Enfield motorcycle, and gold jewelry as dowry, the in-laws still demanded 3.5 million rupees in cash and a luxury car.
After his arrest on the 25th, Bhati denied killing his wife. He said: "I have no remorse. I didn't kill her. She died on her own. Couples quarrel often... it's very common."
According to the UK's Independent, data shows that between 2017 and 2022, India recorded an annual average of 7,000 dowry-related murders, and the actual number could be even higher.