Amroha, Uttar Pradesh – In a heartbreaking case that highlights the ongoing curse of dowry violence in India, a 23-year-old woman named Gulfiza lost her life after allegedly being forced to drink acid by her in-laws. The incident, which took place in Kalakheda village under the Didauli police station area, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter action against such crimes. Gulfiza, who had been married for just about a year, passed away on August 28 after fighting for 17 days in a hospital in Moradabad.
Gulfiza’s story began with hope but quickly turned into a nightmare. She tied the knot with Parvez Ahmad, a small-time farmer from the same village, around a year ago. From the start, her family says, she faced constant harassment from her husband and in-laws. They demanded an extra Rs 10 lakh in cash and a car as dowry, on top of what had already been given at the wedding. Her father, Mohd Furkan, shared that the pressure built up over months, leading to the horrific attack on August 11. Neighbors heard her cries and alerted her family, who rushed her to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors did everything they could, but the acid had caused severe internal damage, and she couldn’t hold on.
Furkan filed a police complaint the next day, August 12, naming seven people: Parvez, his father Asim, mother Gulista, and siblings Monish, Saif, Dr Bhura, and Babbu. The FIR was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cruelty by in-laws, attempt to murder, and violations of the Dowry Prohibition Act. City Circle Officer Shakti Singh confirmed that the accused are on the run, but police are actively searching for them. Once the post-mortem report comes in, they plan to add charges for dowry death and murder. “We will arrest all involved soon,” Singh told reporters, emphasizing that the investigation is moving forward.
This isn’t an isolated tragedy. Just days earlier, on August 21, another woman, 26-year-old Nikki Bhati from Greater Noida, died after being set on fire by her in-laws in a similar dowry dispute. Videos of that incident spread online, leading to quick arrests of four family members, including her husband. These back-to-back cases have put a spotlight on how deep-rooted dowry demands still are in parts of Uttar Pradesh and across India, despite laws banning the practice since 1961. Activists point out that thousands of women face abuse or worse every year because of greed disguised as tradition.
As Amroha mourns this young life cut short, the incident serves as a grim reminder that laws alone aren’t enough. Society needs to change – families must reject dowry, and communities should speak up against abuse. Until then, stories like Gulfiza’s will keep repeating, leaving families broken and questions unanswered. Police say updates on arrests will come soon, but for now, the focus is on ensuring her death wasn’t in vain.
