Dowry harassment: FIR filed against BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, his son

Bhopal Police have filed an FIR against Odisha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, his wife and their son, after their daughter-in-law alleged that she was being harassed and tortured for dowry.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha): An FIR has been filed against Biju Janata Dal MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, his wife and their son, after their daughter-in-law alleged that she was being harassed and tortured for dowry. The Odisha MP's daughter-in-law had filed a complaint with the Bhopal Mahila police in this regard. The 34-yr old woman had married Mahtab’s son Lok Ranjan at a ceremony on December 12, 2016, in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the BJD MP from Cuttack Bhartruhari Mahtab spoke to the media over the case filed by his daughter-in-law in Bhopal, pertaining to dowry torture saying that the dispute is purely matrimonial and a matter between two individuals. The MP further added saying that it has been more than three years since his son had filed for a divorce and there was an attempt for conciliation at Delhi, which failed and the case is still pending in the Patiala House Court in New Delhi.

"My reaction to the recent allegation which is being talked about is that, it is an afterthought. I would not say anything on the merit of the case because it is under investigation. My life is an open book and it is a personal matter of my son. About the dowry torture allegations, I would prefer not to give any opinion on it,” the BJD MP said, adding that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is aware of the dispute between his son and daughter-in-law.

The Bhopal Mahila Police have registered a case under Sections 498-A, 406, 506 and 34 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The Lok Sabha Member from Cuttack, Mahtab, his wife Mahasweta and son (complainant’s husband) Lok Ranjan have been named in the FIR. Police are investigating the matter and will serve a notice to Mahtab and his family, the local police said.