In a disturbing incident of domestic violence and dowry harassment, Shivam Kumar (24) from Sheikhpura was arrested on Sunday for allegedly torturing his wife following their love marriage. The accused reportedly assaulted his wife, cutting her hair and shaving her eyebrows with a blade while demanding a dowry of Rs5 lakh.
The 20-year-old victim married Shivam in a temple at Jamui on April 10 this year. The couple shared a happy first month, but tensions arose when Shivam and his family pressured her for the dowry. Estranged from her own family after eloping, the woman was unable to meet these demands, leading to repeated abuse.
The abuse escalated on June 20 when Shivam allegedly tried to kill her. She escaped and filed a complaint at the women’s police station that day. Following the complaint, police launched a search and arrested Shivam in Lakhisarai on Sunday.
Police stated the couple met via social media a year ago. Despite initial family opposition, the woman eloped with Shivam and married him in a temple. Initially accepted by Shivam’s family in Sheikhpura, the relationship soured after the dowry demands began.
According to Women’s Police Station In-Charge Anamika Kumari, after the victim explained her estrangement from her family and inability to pay the dowry, verbal abuse escalated to physical assault. Shivam beat her, cut her hair, and shaved her eyebrows in a fit of rage.
The victim escaped and sought help from the police, later returning to her parental home in Nawada. Shivam is scheduled to be produced in court on July 28.
