Dowry harassment: Women organisations stage dharna

Vijayawada, Feb 24 (UNI) Several women organisations staged a dharna in front of Ibrahimpatnam police station today demanding the immediate arrest of a man and his parents for allegedly harassing his wife for more dowry.

Police said Mohd Basheer, a software engineer working in Dubai , had married Sheikh Gousia in 2002. At the time of the marriage, Gousia's parents gave Rs two lakh in cash and 25 gold ornaments to Basheer.

Basheer's parents, who went to Dubai last year, started harassing Gousia for more dowry.

Meanwhile, Gousia, who returned to India with her in laws gave birth to a male child. Basheer, who returned here later, also started harassing her.

Unable to bear the torture, Gousia lodged a complaint with the police.

Based on her complaint, City Police Commissioner C V Anand called both the families for counselling on February 22. But Basheer, did not turn up complaining of chest pain. Though the police asked him to appear the next day, he did appear again. Later, it was found that Basheer and his parents were absconding.

The police had registered a case under Section 498 (A) of IPC and efforts were on to arrest the trio.

Meanwhile, All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) and other women organisations alleged that the police had released Basheer without arresting him.

UNI