Hubby, sister-in-law held over Sribhumi woman’s death; dowry-related abuse suspected

Silchar: Police on Thursday arrested the husband and sister-in-law of a woman in connection with her death under mysterious circumstances in Sribhumi district, suspecting prolonged dowry-related abuse that may have led to her murder.The arrests were made at Barabari village under Ratabari police station. The deceased, identified as Puja Mishra, died under suspicious circumstances earlier this month. Police picked up her husband Santosh Mishra and his sister Gauribala Mishra, after fresh leads emerged during investigation.A police team, led by Nivia police outpost OC sub-inspector Kalyan Barman, carried out the arrests. Following sustained interrogation, the accused were produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.Police said Puja was subjected to continuous physical and mental harassment over dowry demands for a prolonged period before her death. Statements recorded from several local witnesses suggest that on the night preceding the incident, the woman was chased and assaulted in a paddy field adjacent to the house. Investigators have also gathered inputs on the movement of the accused in and around the house that night.Officials said the multiple injury marks found on the victim’s body do not align with the claim of suicide. “The nature of the injuries raises serious doubts. The autopsy and forensic reports will be crucial in establishing the sequence of events,” a senior officer said.Puja, a resident of Moniarkhal tea estate in Cachar district, was married to Santosh Mishra of Barabari village about four years ago. According to her family, dowry-related harassment began soon after the marriage. At one point, the abuse allegedly forced her to take shelter at her parental home after sustaining serious injuries.She later returned to her in-laws’ home following assurances that the harassment would stop. However, on Jan 1, her family was informed that Puja had died by suicide. When relatives reached the house, they noticed multiple injury marks on her body, heightening suspicion.Locals have also alleged that the house witnessed a tense atmosphere on the night of the incident, with loud arguments and screams heard until late.Based on a written complaint by the victim’s brother, Pavan Mishra, Nivia police recovered the body and sent it for an autopsy. A case of planned murder has since been registered at Ratabari police station against seven members of the woman’s in-laws’ family, including the husband and sister-in-law.Police said the role of the remaining accused named in the FIR is under scrutiny. Investigators are analysing mobile call records and other evidence to establish who was present at the house at the time of the incident. “Further arrests may follow as the probe progresses,” police said.