Young woman commits suicide

Thane, Mar 17 (UNI) A recently married woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself, following torture by her husband and his alleged second marriage with another woman, at Bhayander in this district.

Police said, the victim, Poonam Pareek (25), a call centre employee, took the extreme step to end her life on Mar 14.

According to a complaint filed by Poonam's parents with the Mira Road police, Poonam married Rajesh Yadav, a salesman, on October 23, 2006 at the Arya Samaj, in Mulund against the wishes of both the families. It was a seven-year-long love affair which culminated into the intercaste marriage.

The duo had fled away from their homes to marry, due to which Poonam's family members never visited her. As the victim was a call centre employee, Rajesh had doubts about her character and started harassing her.

Her in-laws, who were annoyed with the intercaste marriage, frequently visited the victim's house and wanted her to divorce Rajesh.

Without informing Poonam, Rajesh had gone to his home town in Uttar Pradesh and allegedly married another girl, Archana on December 12, 2006. Later on, when Poonam came to know about the second marriage and questioned him, he allegedly threatened her and took away her gold ornaments including the 'Mangalsutra', and picked up a quarrel with her.

Poonam had lodged a complaint to this effect with the local police on March 1, 2007, following which, the police arrested Rajesh and his family members.

However, after some days, when Rajesh was let out, he threatened Poonam following which she finally ended her life.

On the same day, when they did not receive any response from Poonam to their calls, Poonam's neighbours called the police and her parents. The door was broken open and her body was found hanging by the ceiling fan. A bank pass book with some message on it for her mother was also found.

Police have registered an offence of harassment and abetting suicide against Poonam's husband Rajesh, his father Loknath Yadav, mother Kamladevi and sister-in-law Manisha Yadav.

Meanwhile, Archana is the daughter of the local SP MLA of Chandoli in Varanasi, sources said.

UNI