PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) chairwoman Kusum Kandwal asked the Rishikesh superintendent of police Purnima Garg to take stringent action in an alleged dowry death case involving a woman.
Kandwal said that Rishikesh resident Umesh Kumar has levelled serious allegations regarding the dowry harassment and murder of his daughter, Soni. She was married to Sumit, also a resident of Rishikesh, on July 2, 2023. From the beginning of their marriage, Soni allegedly endured mental and physical torture at the hands of her husband and in-laws due to dowry demands. A written complaint was filed with the police on September 30, 2023.
She said that according to the victim’s father, Soni’s in-laws and other relatives were accused and had allegedly murdered her daughter at around 6 PM on November 18, 2025. It is alleged that following the incident, all the accused fled the scene, leaving Soni’s body at the government hospital.
Kandwal said that given the serious nature of the allegations, the commission considers this a highly sensitive matter. She instructed the police to ensure that no laxity occurs during the investigation and that the culprits face strict punishment under the law.
The commission has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy regarding crimes against women, making it a top priority to provide justice for the victim’s family, she said.
