First complaint under Domestic Violence Act in Gujarat registered

Rajkot, Nov 2 (UNI) In the first complaint of its type here under the Domestic Violence Act 2005, a married woman has accused her husband and in-laws of physically assaulting her.

Shilpaben Patel lodged a complaint with the Kotada Sanghani Police here yesterday against her husband Sailesh Haribhai, father-in-law Haribhai Popatbhai and mother-in-law Ambaben, for offences under the Domestic Violence Act, that has come into effect from October 26 this year.

In her complaint to the police, the woman has stated that ever since her marriage four years back, she has been frequently physically assaulted by her husband who doubted her fidelity.

The woman, in her complaint, alleged that her father-in-law and mother-in-law had also subjected her to physical and mental torture.

The in-laws had demanded Rs 50,000 as dowry from her parents, the woman has said in her complaint.

The woman is presently residing with her parents at Mandva village in Kotada Sanghani where she has lodged the complaint.

The matter is being investigated, police said. Offences under the Domestic Violence Act include actual abuse or threat of abuse, whether physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic. Harassment by way of unlawful dowry demands to the woman or her relatives are also covered under its ambit.

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