The woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi, whose husband had alleged that she eloped with a beggar, has told police that she had moved to a relative’s home because her husband repeatedly abused and beat her up. Police have said allegations of her eloping with anyone are false and baseless and added that they are taking further action.

Thirty-six-year-old Rajeshwari, a mother of six, had been missing since Friday. Her husband Raju registered a police complaint on Sunday, alleging that his wife would often talk to 45-year-old Nanhe Pandit, who begged in the neighbourhood.

“Around 2 pm on January 3, my wife Rajeshwari told our daughter Khushboo that she was going to the market to buy clothes and vegetables. When she did not return, I looked for her everywhere, but could not find her. My wife left home with the money I made by selling a buffalo. I suspect that Nanhe Pandit has taken her with him,” Raju has said in his complaint, seeking police action.

Police registered an FIR under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that relates to abducting a woman.

“Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman with intent that she may be compelled, or knowing it to be likely that she will be compelled, to marry any person against her will, or in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine,” the law states.

“… whoever, by means of criminal intimidation as defined in this Sanhita or of abuse of authority or any other method of compulsion, induces any woman to go from any place with intent that she may be, or knowing that it is likely that she will be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person shall also be punishable as aforesaid,” it adds.

In a statement issued yesterday, Hardoi police said the woman visited the police station after the FIR was registered. “Rajeshwari said her husband Raju would abuse her and beat her up. Upset with this, she went to her relative’s home in Farrukhabad. The allegations that the woman left with someone are false and baseless. We are taking further action,” police said.

Hardoi:

A 36-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district has allegedly abandoned her husband and six children and eloped with a beggar. The husband, Raju, has filed a police complaint under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that relates to abducting a woman. Police have registered a case and are looking for the accused.

In his complaint, 45-year-old Raju has said he lives in Hardoi’s Harpalpur area with his wife Rajeshwari and their six children. Forty-five-year-old Nanhe Pandit, he has said, would sometimes come to the neighbourhood to beg. Nanhe Pandit would often chat with Rajeshwari and they also spoke over the phone, he has said.

“Around 2 pm on January 3, my wife Rajeshwari told our daughter Khushboo that she was going to the market to buy clothes and vegetables. When she did not return, I looked for her everywhere, but could not find her. My wife left home with the money I made by selling a buffalo. I suspect that Nanhe Pandit has taken her with him,” Raju has said in his complaint, seeking police action.

Police have said they are now looking for Nanhe Pandit.

The FIR has been registered under Section 87 of BNS. “Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman with intent that she may be compelled, or knowing it to be likely that she will be compelled, to marry any person against her will, or in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine,” the law states.

It adds, “… whoever, by means of criminal intimidation as defined in this Sanhita or of abuse of authority or any other method of compulsion, induces any woman to go from any place with intent that she may be, or knowing that it is likely that she will be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person shall also be punishable as aforesaid,” it adds.

Inputs from Mohd Asif

Hardoi (UP):

A chilling racket of stealing jewellery from corpses coming in for post-mortem has been busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi. Those involved in the racket, it is alleged, would steal gold and silver ornaments from corpses and replace them with artificial jewellery.

The district’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Rohtash Kumar said two contractual employees were involved in this racket and they have been fired. But one of the sacked staff has claimed that he is innocent and several employees of the postmortem unit were part of the racket.

The matter came to light when a woman constable, whose 26-year-old sister recently died by suicide, found the ornaments missing from the body. “The constable, Nikki, told us that her sister’s nosepin and ear rings were missing after post-mortem. Two staff members were found to be involved, and they were sacked. I have also complained to the firm they are associated with,” the Chief Medical Officer said. On the sacked ward boy’s allegations, he said a team of four doctors has been formed to conduct an in-depth probe into the matter. “We will take strict action against anyone found responsible.” 

Rupesh Patel, the sacked ward boy, said he did not even enter the postmortem room and claimed that he had been framed. “I was threatened that If I speak up, I will be sacked,” he said.

A video of ornaments stolen from bodies has now spread on social media. Rupesh Patel said he shot the video and circulated it after he was sacked.

Asked about the video, the Chief Medical Officer said the clip does not show any other staff member, but assured that the probe team will look into it. “The probe team is looking at the whole matter and once we get a report, we will take action. An FIR will also be registered.”

With inputs from Mohd Asif