West Godavari Horror: Were Mother and Son Locked Up for Refusing ‘Relationship’ with Brother-in-Law?

Hyderabad: A heart-wrenching case has come to light from West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, which has put humanity to shame. A 25-year-old woman and her young son were kept locked in a dark room of their house by her own in-laws for ten days. During this period, they were neither given food nor water nor allowed to go to the toilet. The only reason was that the woman had refused to forcibly have intercourse with her brother-in-law.

What was the whole matter?

According to reports, the victim was married to a young man named Ranjeet two years ago. Since marriage, her in-laws have been pressuring her to have a child. It was reported that her father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law wanted her to "keep her brother-in-law Praveen happy" so that a boy could be born in the family. Praveen had been married for eight years, but he had no children. The woman rejected this obnoxious demand, after which her life was made hell.

How did the inhuman treatment happen?

After the woman's refusal, her in-laws locked her and her younger son in a dark room. There was no electricity in the room, even water and food were not arranged. There were neither toilet facilities nor permission to talk to anyone. Both mother and son continued to suffer in this condition for 10 days. When the woman called for help, her in-laws threatened her and silenced her.

When and how did help reach?

This horrifying ordeal ended when the matter somehow reached the State Human Rights Commission. After the intervention of the Commission, the police reached the spot and took the woman and her son out of the room. Both were immediately taken to the hospital, where their condition is now said to be stable. The police have taken the woman's father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law into custody and investigation into the entire matter is ongoing.

What do the police and administration say?

According to police officials, preliminary investigation has revealed that the woman was tortured only because she refused to have sex with her brother-in-law. Officials said that the victim has been given security at present and her statement is being recorded before the magistrate.

Is this case not a warning to the society?

This incident is not only an extreme example of domestic violence but also shows that in some areas women are still viewed as objects. Experts say this case is a warning to the society that despite strict laws against sexism and mental torture, the lack of awareness is still deep.