A 26-year-old woman married to a Congress leader was found hanging at her in-laws’ home in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi just 15 months after her wedding, triggering allegations of dowry-related harassment, mental torture, and murder from her maternal family.
The deceased, Priya Mishra, had been married on February 14, 2025, in a grand ceremony in Jhansi’s Samthar to Bharat Vyas, who is reportedly associated with the Congress student organisation. His photographs with senior political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have also reportedly been shared on social media, according to the family.
Her father, Vinod Mishra, who lives in Shivaji Nagar in Jhansi, said he had given dowry beyond his financial capacity for the marriage.
Despite this, he alleged that demands for an additional Rs 5 lakh were repeatedly made by the in-laws after the marriage. He claimed that when these demands were not fulfilled, his daughter was subjected to mental harassment and constant pressure.
According to him, Priya had on one or two occasions confided in him about the harassment and the ongoing demands. However, the family tried to calm her down, hoping the situation would improve over time.
The incident came to light on June 1, when the family was informed that Priya had died at her in-laws’ house. The exact circumstances, however, immediately raised suspicion among her relatives.
Vinod Mishra said that he had received a call on May 31 at around midnight from his daughter, but he could not answer as he was asleep. When he returned the call the next morning, he was told that she had died.
He further alleged that when the family reached the in-laws’ house, they were informed that Priya had died by suicide. However, they strongly disputed this claim, alleging instead that she had been murdered and later hanged to make it appear as a case of suicide.
The family also alleged that the in-laws did not immediately inform them about the death and that they had to gather information themselves. When they reached the spot, they claimed they saw circumstances that strengthened their suspicion of foul play, including the way the body was found.
Vinod Mishra alleged that his daughter was not only harassed for dowry but also subjected to persistent mental and emotional abuse by her husband, mother-in-law, and other members of the in-laws’ family. He said Priya had repeatedly spoken about being humiliated and pressured for money.
He also pointed out that despite the marriage having taken place just over a year ago, demands for additional dowry had continued unabated, escalating tensions within the household.
The grieving father further alleged that when they arrived at the house, they found inconsistencies at the scene, which made them believe that it was not a straightforward case of suicide. He demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against all those responsible.
In his statement, Vinod Mishra said his daughter had been murdered and then hanged. He also expressed deep anger over what he described as negligence by the in-laws in informing the family promptly.
He warned that if the administration failed to take strict action against those he called “dowry seekers,” he would be forced to take the law into his own hands.
Police officials in Moth area, under which the incident falls, said the body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination. Senior officer CO Ajay Shrotriya confirmed that a case has been registered based on the complaint filed by the father.
The FIR names the husband Bharat Vyas, his mother Rohini, brother Uday Vyas, uncle Rajesh Vyas, and Bharat’s maternal aunt as accused in the case.
Police said investigation has been initiated under relevant sections of the law, including provisions related to dowry harassment and other applicable charges. Multiple angles are being examined, and statements from family members and others are being recorded as part of the probe.
Officials added that further action will depend on the post-mortem report and findings of the ongoing investigation.
– Ends
Inputs from Pramod Kumar Gautam
