Daughter-in-law Seeks Chargesheet Against Ex-Minister and Family

This high profile case, which led to the resignation of Raghunath Mohanty from the Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet, was handed over to Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) for impartial inquiry.

Barsa Swony Choudhury, daughter-in-law of former Minister and senior BJD leader Raghunath Mohanty met the authorities of State Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) at Cuttack seeking immediate submission of chargesheet against her in-laws and husband who were arrested for allegedly torturing her for more dowry.

Barsa, who came with her father Kishore Kumar Choudhury and mother Sujata Choudhury, met ADG (HRPC) Bijay Kumar Sharma and also sought security at her rented house in Bhubaneswar where she is now pursuing her MBA degree.

She had accused her husband Rajashree Mohanty, father-in-law Raghunath Mohanty, mother-in-law Pritilata Mohanty, sister-in-law Rupashree Madhual and brother-in-law Suvendu Madhual of torturing her physically and mentally for additional dowry.

This high profile case, which led to the resignation of Raghunath from the Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet, was handed over to Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) for impartial inquiry.

Following her allegation on March 14, the HRPC officials with the help of local police had arrested Barsa’s husband on March 17 and Mohanty couple of March 30 while two others managed to get anticipatory bail after remaining fugitive for nearly a month. However, the arrested trio is now on conditional bail.

“Now nearly 11 months have passed since the case was registered under section 498A, 506, 448 and 34 of IPC. But chargesheet has not been filed in the case yet. I feel it is double torture for me.

We are deprived of justice as the HRPC is yet to submit the chargesheet. We have also requested the ADG not to delete the name of any accused person from the chargesheet,” Barsa said.

She has also demanded refund of her gold ornaments weighing over one kg and cash Rs 10 lakh which was given to the Mohanty family as dowry. “The delay in getting justice has made my life hell. I demand the case to be trialed immediately and the court to deliver justice soon,” she added.

The ADG has assured to look into her appeal and ask the HRPC officials to submit the chargesheet as soon as possible. He has also directed Chandrasekharpur police for arrangement of security for her. Earlier, Barsa had filed a case under domestic violence act in the SDJM court here. She too had filed a maintenance suit in the family court against her husband demanding Rs 60,000 per month to meet her study and other expenses. She is yet to get any order or assistance in this connection.

Original NEWS Source:- http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Daughter-in-law-Seeks-Chargesheet-Against-Ex-Minister-and-Family/2014/01/10/article1993312.ece