Dowry death : Action sought against spouse

Itahari, July 2:

Parents of Laxmidevi Mahato of Prakaspur-2 have accused their son-in-law Shivaram Mahato of killing their daughter.

Citing a report prepared on the basis of a preliminary investigation, the police said Shivaram Mahato of Prakaspur-5, Sunsari district, killed his wife Laxmidevi for not bringing dowry. The beheaded body of Laxmidevi Mahato was recovered from the bank of the Saptakoshi river on June 15. Sitadevi Mahato, who visited the Sunsari District Police Office today to demand punishment for her son-in-law, said her daughter’s body was decapitated and had wounds inflicted by sharp weapons.

Shivaram and Laxmi had tied the knot five years ago. Six months into the marriage, Shivaram and his father began torturing Laxmi for not bringing dowry. “Our daughter used to come to us and show scars on her body,” Sitadevi said.

Laxmidevi’s father, Ramjiban Mahato said, “My daughter lost her life for not bringing dowry.”

Ramjiban said his son-in-law had gone to India two years ago after the dowry war between the couple intensified. Aided by friends, Shivaram killed Laxmi one week after he arrived from India, the police said. Shivaram has been absconding. Ramjiban Mahato has filed a case against his son-in-law and his accomplices at the Sunsari district police office.

Meanwhile, DSP Rupam Lama of the Sunsari DPO said some persons have been arrested on the charge of involvement in the murder, adding that a search is on to nab Shivaram.