A shocking case of alleged domestic abuse and unlawful confinement has come to light in Assam’s Bongaigaon town, where a woman was reportedly locked inside her matrimonial home for nearly eight months over dowry-related disputes.
The victim, identified as Chayanika Das, was rescued on Tuesday by a joint team of the Assam State Commission for Women, district administration and police after authorities reportedly broke open the locked gate of the house located on BT Road in Bongaigaon.
According to the victim’s mother, Nijora Das, Chayanika married businessman Anshuman Kalita on February 25, 2022. Soon after the marriage, the husband allegedly began demanding dowry and property and subjected his wife to physical and mental harassment.
The family alleged that the abuse intensified over time, forcing Chayanika to leave her job at Axis Bank. The situation reportedly worsened further after she became aware of her husband’s alleged relationship with another woman.
According to the complaint, Anshuman Kalita and his elder brother Plabon Kalita allegedly confined Chayanika inside their residence from February this year. The main gate of the house was kept locked, preventing her from leaving the premises.
During her confinement, Chayanika reportedly faced difficulties in accessing food, medical care and other basic necessities. Her mother claimed she was compelled to pass food and essential items through the gap beneath the locked gate.
The victim’s family further alleged that while Chayanika remained confined, her husband initiated divorce proceedings and sent legal notices to her parental home without her knowledge.
Unable to tolerate the alleged abuse any longer, Nijora Das approached the Assam State Commission for Women. Acting on the complaint, Commission member Himani Adhikari coordinated with the district administration and police to launch a rescue operation.
When the rescue team arrived, the house was found locked. Police reportedly contacted Anshuman Kalita and Plabon Kalita, asking them to provide the keys, but nobody arrived with the key. Eventually, in the presence of Executive Magistrate Achintya Roy, the police broke open the lock and rescued Chayanika.
Authorities subsequently arranged for her medical examination.
According to Himani Adhikari, the written complaint submitted by the victim’s mother alleged that the husband had demanded Rs 50 lakh and a four-wheeler as dowry. The complaint also stated that around Rs 12 lakh had already been transferred to him. Additional allegations include caste-based insults, verbal abuse and continuous mental harassment.
Police have registered a case against Anshuman Kalita at Bongaigaon Police Station and an investigation is underway.
