'My father-in-law made advances'

Young women complain of sexual harassment in the family

TWO young women have gone to the police alleging sexual harassment one by her father-in-law and the other by the husband.

In the first case, Mumtaz, 19, has filed a case against her husband and in-laws, alleging sexual harassment by her father-in-law.

Mumtaz, a resident of Nagawara, alleged that her father-in-law forced her to bathe him and made advances.
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When she complained to her husband, he forced her to comply with his father's demand.

Dowry demands

Mumtaz said that soon after her marriage with Sheikh Abdulla in September 2007, the greedy in-laws demanded Rs 5 lakh from her parents to start a business.

"My parents spent a lot on the marriage and paid a huge dowry and could not meet the demand," she said.

"When I told this to my husband, my in-laws started harassing me, saying they would send me home and get a new bride for their brother who would bring in more dowry," she added.

Mumtaz said she reached the end of the tether when her father-in-law misbehaved with her while she was alone in the kitchen. She alleged that Abdul Khadar told her to "cooperate" with him and promised to bequeath his house to her. Mumtaz managed to escape and raised an alarm for help. Her parents approached the local committee seeking justice.

Abdul Khadar and Sheikh Abdulla appeared before the committee and promised not to harassu00a0 her and took her home.

But the harassment, especially by the father-in-law continued, she alleged.

When Mumtaz told her husband, he got angry and left her at her parent's house, threatening not to return till she got Rs 5 lakh.

"Abdulla calls me frequently to check whether my family has been able to manage the amount." she said, adding that she has filed a complaint with the all-women's police station.

'He's a pervert'
In a similar case, 27-year-old Rehmat (name changed) alleged that her husband forced her to indulge in anal and oral sex as a result of which she had to undergo two abortions.

Rehmat, a resident of R K Hegde Nagar, alleged in her complaint to Kothanur police that Afsar, a butcher by profession, was ruthless and harassed her sexually.

"He didn't even spare me when I was pregnant," she told the police.u00a0 "He is a pervert and asked me to be in the nude every night. When I objected to his demands, he said his first wife was better," she said.

That's how Rehmat came to know that Afsar was married his parents had not told her before the marriage, she said.

"He beats me mercilessly when I refuse to indulge in oral," she said, adding that she had to have a nose surgery twice. "I perform namaaz and read the Quran every day. How can I comply with his demands at night," Rehmat told MiD Day.

The neighbours finally rescued Rehmat and sent her to her parents. "My family is poor and my father is bedridden. There is no one to support me," she said.
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u00a0"I have decided to stand on my own legs since I am a graduate. I am looking for a job. The only good thing in my life was that I was able to complete my graduation," she said.