Kochi: The Kerala High Court has sought the response of the state government on an anticipatory bail plea filed by a man, who allegedly beat up his wife and her father over not meeting his dowry demands. Justice Shircy V directed the public prosecutor to take instructions in the matter and listed it for hearing on August 5. The 31-year-old man is accused of harassing and assaulting his wife and also beating up his father-in-law over alleged dowry demand.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said dowry related violence against women can be prevented by creating awareness against the menace and warned of strict action in such matters. He mentioned this in the assembly while referring to the rising cases of dowry harassment and domestic violence in the state. The Chief Minister pointed out that Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's recent fast against the practice of dowry was a Gandhian tactic of spreading awareness.
Read: TN activist calls for ending dowry practice
The couple got married in April this year and it was a second marriage for both of them. In the plea filed through advocate C A Chacko, the husband has claimed that he is innocent and has denied the allegations against him. According to the police an FIR has been registered against the husband and his parents under sections 498A (dowry harassment), 323 (causing hurt), 506(intimidation), 34 (common intention) of the IPC and various provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
(PTI)
