In a horrifying incident that has surfaced from Andhra Pradesh, a pregnant woman was assaulted, allegedly cut with a blade by her husband and mother-in-law and an attempt was made to force her to undergo an abortion in Visakhapatnam district.
In a video of the incident which surfaced, the woman, identified as Rajeshwari, is seen with deep cuts visible on her left hand, shaking and gasping for breath on what seems to be a stretcher in a hospital, as she narrates her tale repeatedly breaking down.
"My husband and mother-in-law took me in a car (On Wednesday), and they began saying that they need to get rid of my pregnancy. They said he (husband) has a loan of Rs 20 lakh and that needs to be paid. They asked how I could want kids in this situation," the woman said. The woman also alleged that her mother-in-law and husband attempted to strangle her with a dupatta on Tuesday night and also used a knife to inflict the cuts that could be seen on her arm.
She was reportedly rescued by locals as they were travelling in the car and later taken to the Pendurthi police station, where her family members arrived, and rushed her to the hospital. A case was however, later registered with the Airport police. Rajeshwari has been shifted to the King George Hospital.
Authorities from King George Hospital told TNM that the woman was now stable. "The foetus is alive. We could not spot any damage as of now due to the assault. Her condition is also stable. We are planning to keep her for another one or two days under observation to check for any internal injuries," KGH Superintendent Arjuna said.
The husband, was identified as Damodharan, a cab driver. He and his mother went absconding after the case was filed. According to media reports, the accused was having an affair with another woman. In the video as well, the woman is seen saying that the mother-in-law repeatedly harassed her, stating that they wanted the other woman as a daughter-in-law.
Speaking to the media, Rajeshwari's brother said, "They forced her to have an abortion earlier as well. They made her take tablets for that." He also alleged that Rajeshwari was being tortured by her husband's family for dowry, including a car and jewellery.
Her brother also said that Rajeshwari had filed a complaint with the local police station and the case had gone to the court. However, as they were newly-married, the magistrate asked them to try and work on the relationship for some more time.
Speaking to TNM, an official from the Visakhapatnam Airport Police Station said that a case has been registered under Section 498 A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act.