Deputy Collector arrested on charges of sexually exploiting woman in MP
A Deputy Collector in the Morena District of Madhya Pradesh has been arrested on charges of sexually exploiting a woman on the pretext of marriage.
A 21-year-old newlywed woman allegedly died by suicide at her in-laws’ house in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district, with her family accusing the husband’s family of harassing her over dowry demands and repeatedly pressuring her for a car.
The case has once again put the spotlight on rising allegations of dowry-linked harassment involving young married women. Police said a case would be registered against the in-laws after examining the post-mortem report, statements of family members and evidence collected from the spot.
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The deceased, identified as Palak Rajak, was a resident of Suraiya Pura under Morar police station limits in Gwalior. According to police, she got married on April 14, 2025, and allegedly died by hanging herself at her in-laws’ residence on May 12.
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City Superintendent of Police Atul Kumar Soni said police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident.
“She was initially admitted to Morar Hospital. Later, at the request of her family, she was shifted to Birla Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. A post-mortem examination was conducted thereafter,” Soni told ANI.
#WATCH | Gwalior, MP | On 21-year-old newly married woman allegedly dies by suicide, Morar CSP Atul Kumar Soni says, “This incident occurred on May 12, and upon receiving the information, police teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. The woman was initially admitted to… pic.twitter.com/4MH7qx91Tv
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026
Family alleges repeated taunts over dowry
According to the police officer, Palak’s family accused her in-laws of demanding a vehicle, withholding her stridhan and repeatedly taunting her after marriage.
“Based on the statements given by the family members, allegations have emerged that the in-laws continuously harassed her and demanded a vehicle,” Soni said.
He added that the family claimed the alleged harassment began within months of the marriage and had caused severe emotional distress to the woman.
“The marriage took place around a year ago and it is alleged that within three to four months, the taunting and demand for a vehicle had started. The deceased would often discuss this with her family members,” he said.
#WATCH | Gwalior, MP | Deceased’s father Mohar Singh says, “My daughter told me that her in-laws were demanding a car… I would speak to them repeatedly, but after a few days, they would revert to their old ways—physically abusing her and subjecting her to taunts… The police… https://t.co/dI6Kam1xj3 pic.twitter.com/hnITh2Qenp
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026
Police said further legal action would follow after completion of the preliminary investigation.
“A case will be registered against the in-laws based on the MLC report, statements and evidence gathered from the crime scene,” Soni added.
Father seeks strict action
Palak’s father, Mohar Singh, alleged that his daughter was physically abused and mentally harassed over dowry demands.
“My daughter told me that her in-laws were demanding a car. I used to speak to them repeatedly, but after a few days they would again start abusing and taunting her,” he alleged.
He urged police to take strict action in the matter.
“Something like this should never happen to anyone else’s daughter. Her father-in-law is a government employee,” he said.
The incident comes close on the heels of other alleged dowry harassment cases reported recently.
#WATCH | Gwalior, MP | Deceased’s mother Seema says, “My daughter used to tell me that her in-laws harassed her… Filing a police complaint would have strained our relations, and that is why we did not take any action against them… At the time of the wedding, they did not… https://t.co/dI6Kam1xj3 pic.twitter.com/etuz9BcHC9
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026
Earlier this month, a 33-year-old woman named Twisha Sharma allegedly died by suicide in Bhopal. Her family accused her husband and in-laws of mental harassment linked to dowry demands. Police formed a Special Investigation Team in the case.
In another incident in Greater Noida, a woman named Deepika died under suspicious circumstances after allegedly falling from the rooftop of her in-laws’ house. Her family also alleged sustained harassment over dowry demands, following which police arrested her husband and father-in-law.
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