Grandfather pays Rs 10 lakh for his heir

Jammu, Dec 1: Ashok Kumar Gupta was a happy man after securing the possession of his grandson by paying Rs seven lakh cash and gold worth Rs three lakh! Resident of village Harni in Mendhar area in western Poonch district, Ashok paid the amount to his daughter-in-law Punam Gupta, widow of his only son Garv Gupta, sources told UNI.

Punam of Ari village was married to Garv Gupta, lone son of Ashok Kumar in November 2007, who died due to illness about four months after marriage. Punam gave birth to his child in October, 2008.

According to villagers, Punam's father was not interested to let his daughter stay in the house of in-laws and was building pressure on Ashok Kumar to allow her to live with her parents.

But Ashok wanted to keep his grandson with him.

This tussle between the families was worked out after an intervention by members of their respective localities. But, the outcome was also strange as a grandfather had to pay Rs 10 lakh to secure possession of his grandson.

Ashok Kumar, when contacted, said that he had got the baby from Punam by paying her Rs 10 lakh -- Rs seven lakh cash and gold worth Rs three lakh.

''I have also returned all the items which she (Punam) had carried with her on the day of marriage as dowry or gifts,'' the grandfather said, adding that he will concentrate on nursing and education of his heir.

''I have lost my son and in no case want to loose my grandson now,'' he asserted.

The administration and police were unaware about this incident.

When contacted, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mendhar, P K Bhat said he had no idea about the matter and would enquire to respond accordingly.

UNI