Subha (name changed) did not buckle under pressure when her husband sought more dowry, though the family hoped to break her spirit.
This 26-year-old engineering graduate of Chennai used the Domestic Violence Act to get an order from the Egmore court telling her abusive husband not to ask for dowry, but instead pay her Rs 10,000 as monthly maintenance.
Subha approached protection officer S. Pandiammal, posted exclusively to handle domestic violence cases in the city, filed a complaint with her and, with her help, got justice.
Subha said she married IT professional Ramu in 2010.
“The marriage was arranged by our parents. His parents demanded a lot of dowry. My family spent nearly Rs 6 lakh for the marriage and in giving vessels and jewellery. Ramu was given Rs 15,000 just for his clothes and shoes,” she said in the petition.
After the wedding, Subha dreamt of a happy life. “I experienced emotional abuse in my husband’s house very early,” Subha told the court.
“I was not given proper food. On many days, I was given only porridge. I stayed hungry and was not given any money for my expenses,” Subha alleged.
The engineering graduate also said her mother-in-law kept complaining that she had not brought enough dowry.
“My husband used to push me out of the room and force me to sleep on the floor in the hall,” she said.
When Ramu lost his job and compelled Subha to get more dowry from her parents, she decided to fight the abuse and filed a complaint.
Judge M. Gopalan ruled in Subha’s favour, asking Ramu to provide maintenance and residence.
In their counter, Ramu’s family said Subha had made the house a devil’s paradise. They alleged Subha had an affair and had filed a false complaint against them.
Subha contented that she should be provided residence in Ramu’s house.
Judge M. Gopalan ruled in Subha’s favour, asking Ramu to provide maintenance and residence.