Madhya Pradesh 'Dowry' Death Case: 21-Year-Old Newlywed Dies by Suicide in Gwalior; Family Alleges Torture Over Car Demand
A 21-year-old newlywed woman allegedly died by suicide at her in-laws' residence in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district on May 12, prompting a police investigation. The deceased, identified as Palak Rajak, had been married for just over a year.
A 21-year-old newlywed woman allegedly died by suicide at her in-laws' residence in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district on May 12, prompting a police investigation. The deceased, identified as Palak Rajak, had been married for just over a year. Following the incident, her family filed a complaint accusing her husband and in-laws of systematic mental torture, physical abuse, and relentless demands for dowry.
According to Gwalior City Superintendent of Police (SP) Atul Kumar Soni, authorities dispatched teams to the scene immediately upon receiving information. Palak was initially rushed to Morar Hospital and later shifted to Birla Hospital at her family’s request, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination has since been conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Greater Noida ‘Dowry’ Death Case: Post-Mortem Reveals Deep Trauma, Bone-Deep Injuries and Spleen Rupture on Deepika Nagar’s Body.
Palak's father, Mohar Singh, alleged that the harassment began within three to four months of her wedding, which took place on April 14, 2025. He stated that her in-laws, including her father-in-law, who is a government employee-consistently taunted her and demanded a car. Despite repeated attempts by her parents to intervene and placate the in-laws, the physical and emotional abuse reportedly persisted.
The police confirmed that statements from the deceased’s family members highlight ongoing distress caused by the dowry demands. Investigators also revealed that the in-laws had withheld Palak’s Stridhan (traditional wedding gifts and jewelry given to the bride). SP Soni stated that the matter is undergoing a detailed preliminary investigation. A formal case will be registered against the in-laws incorporating relevant legal sections once the crime scene evidence, Medico-Legal Case (MLC) report, and official statements are fully analyzed. Twisha Sharma Death Case: Family Alleges Dowry Harassment, Seeks Fresh Probe After Final Call Before Death.
This case emerges amid a sharp focus on dowry-related offenses in the region. Authorities noted similar recent tragedies, including the high-profile case of Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old Noida woman who died under similar circumstances in Bhopal, triggering the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate her in-laws.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 20, 2026 04:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
