A 23-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide at her home in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district following a reported dispute with her husband, while her family has accused her in-laws of subjecting her to dowry-related harassment and demanding a car. The woman's husband and his family have denied the allegations, claiming the couple had argued over an unrelated domestic issue.

The incident took place in Kuniya village under the Kamleshwarpur police station limits. The deceased, identified as Mini Yadav, had been married to Anuj Yadav for nearly four years, and the couple has an 18-month-old daughter.

According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when Anuj Yadav had reportedly gone to a nearby grocery shop with their daughter. During his absence, Mini allegedly hanged herself inside a room of the house. Family members rushed her to the Community Health Centre in Kamleshwarpur, where doctors declared her dead.

Post-mortem shifted after family protest

The death triggered tension after the woman's parents and relatives reached the hospital and accused the in-laws of dowry harassment. They refused to allow the post-mortem examination to be conducted at Kamleshwarpur and demanded that it be carried out at Ambikapur Medical College Hospital.

Following the family's request, authorities shifted the body to Ambikapur, where a team of doctors conducted the post-mortem before handing over the body to the family.

Family alleges dowry demand and harassment

Mini's father, Sanjay Yadav, alleged that his daughter had been repeatedly harassed after marriage over a demand for a car as dowry.

He claimed that while no demands were made before the wedding, a Bullet motorcycle was given during the marriage ceremony, but the groom's family later sought a car. According to him, Mini had earlier informed the family about alleged harassment and physical abuse.

The father further alleged that he noticed blood near his daughter's nose and eyes and injury marks on her body after reaching the hospital. He also claimed that her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law had been mentally and physically harassing her.

The family has demanded a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased.

Police begin investigation

Surguja Additional Superintendent of Police Amolak Singh said the death is being investigated from all possible angles. He confirmed that the inquest was conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate and that a medical board carried out the post-mortem examination.

Police said further legal action will depend on the findings of the post-mortem report, forensic evidence and statements recorded during the investigation.

In-laws reject allegations

The deceased woman's in-laws have denied the allegations of dowry harassment.

According to the husband's family, the couple had recently argued after a newly purchased mobile phone accidentally got soaked in water while Mini was washing clothes. They claimed the disagreement was limited to that incident and rejected claims of any dowry-related abuse.

Police have not confirmed any allegations made by either side and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities are expected to examine medical evidence, witness statements and other material before determining whether any criminal charges related to dowry harassment or abetment to suicide are warranted.