‘Dowry murder’: Woman’s body cremated at in-laws’ doorstep

Patna: A newly married woman was found dead at her house in Rajwara Dih village under Mushahari police station area in Muzaffarpur district on Wednesday night, following which her family alleged murder. Her relatives later cremated the body of Gunja Kumari, 19, at her in-laws’ doorstep on Thursday evening.Gunja’s family has accused four people, including her husband Kundan Kumar, of murdering her over dowry. Kundan, his brother Chandan Paswan and other in-laws are absconding. Police have registered a case based on the family’s application and started an investigation.Gunja’s maternal uncle Chhotu Kumar said a ward member of Rajwara village informed him about her death. Her family reached Rajwara Dih from Kanti around midnight on Wednesday and found the body lying in a room with marks on her neck. Police reached the spot, pacified the family and sent the body to SKMCH for post-mortem.Chhotu said Gunja and Kundan met during the Rudra Mahayagya in Simraha Chaturbhuj village near Jhapahan in 2024. They fell in love, eloped and married. The families later agreed to their marriage, following which they were married again according to Hindu rituals.Gunja’s grandmother Siya Janki Devi alleged Kundan had been torturing her for dowry since their marriage. She said the family was preparing to give dowry items on Dhanteras, but Gunja died before that.According to Chhotu, Gunja had returned to her maternal home around three months ago and was brought back after a panchayat decision.In the FIR, the family has accused Kundan, Chandan, Priyanka Devi and Sulekha Devi of murder.Mushahari SHO Subodh Kumar Mehta said, “After the death of the married woman, police had reached the spot on information of ruckus. People were pacified and the body was sent for post-mortem.”Mehta said police later learned about the cremation at the in-laws’ doorstep. “Action will be taken in this matter also. Police are investigating both murder and suicide angles.”You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.