Theirs was an arranged marriage, set up after we saw the profile of our future son-in-law on shaadi.com (a matrimonial site). We belonged to the same caste and we thought this was a perfect match, as he was a young officer of the Indian navy.
They were married on February 10, 2012, and we spent Rs 65 lakh, as demanded by the boy’s family. The demand for dowry started even during the wedding; my daughter was being harassed for more dowry. My daughter joined her husband at Karwar, where he was based. Her troubles began soon thereafter. He forced her to drink and also tried to force her to sleep with his colleagues. When she refused, he threatened her, and asked her to keep silent. There was no one she could turn to for advice. He also threatened to post nude pictures of her on the internet if she failed to comply. I have no idea how the navy works but it is sad that no one came forward to help her.
He physically and mentally harassed her and even urged her to take her own life. Finally, he threw her out on August 20, dumping her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. He also tried to bully her into signing divorce papers. She complied. On April 18, my family was assaulted by my son-in-law’s family and we registered an FIR against them. I fear for my family’s safety constantly.
My daughter is an MBA graduate, and was working before marriage. He forced her to give that up. Now I only hope that she can lead a normal life. I want the navy to investigate the matter thoroughly and we will face the board of inquiry that has already been set up.
As told to Anuradha Raman by the father of a victim