BSP chief Mayawati's niece files dowry harassment case against husband, in-laws

NEW DELHI: An FIR was registered against the chairperson of Uttar Pradesh's Hapur Municipal Council and six family members for alleged domestic violence, dowry harassment and sexual harassment on Thursday following a court directive, police said.
The complainant is the niece of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati. In her complaint, the woman named her husband Vishal, mother-in-law Pushpa Devi, father-in-law Shripal Singh and four other relatives. Pushpa Devi is the chairperson of Hapur Municipal Council.
The woman married Vishal on November 9, 2023, Rajeev Sharma, an advocate representing the complainant, told news agency PTI.
"However, since the marriage, the accused family used their political clout to demand a BSP ticket, Rs 50 lakh in cash and a flat as dowry," Sharma said.
The complainant has also claimed her husband used steroids for bodybuilding, which rendered him medically unfit for their marital life. She confronted her in-laws about her husband's medical condition but they allegedly suggested she have a child with her brother-in-law Bhupendra alias Monu instead.
On February 17, the woman's father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly attempted to sexually assault her.
After this, she returned to her parental home, the lawyer said, adding that despite lodging a police complaint, no action was taken initially so she approached the court.
"On the direction of chief judicial magistrate Dr Brahmpal Singh on April 9, an FIR was registered at Hapur Nagar Kotwali the next day," according to police officer Munish Pratap Singh. Further investigation is underway and appropriate action will be taken, Singh stated.
Charges under sections 85 (husband or relative of husband subjecting her to cruelty), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act have been filed against the accused in the FIR.