Buffalo as dowry demand drives newlywed to suicide:Gwalior woman drinks acid after alleged harassment by in-laws; FIR filed 26 days later

A 21-year-old woman in Gwalior took her own life after her in-laws allegedly harassed her for not bringing a Murrah buffalo as dowry. The police have registered a case of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide against five family members. All accused are on the run. Married less than a year ago The victim, Vimlesh Baghel (21), from Aron Damour, was married to Dinesh Baghel of Madhoganj on 31 January 2024. Soon after the wedding, her in-laws allegedly began harassing her for dowry. They repeatedly pressured her to bring a Murrah buffalo from her brother, saying, “Your brother didn’t give us a buffalo.” Harassment over buffalo worth ₹1.5–2 lakh Vimlesh’s brother owns several buffaloes. Her in-laws reportedly wanted one Murrah buffalo worth around ₹1.5–2 lakh to expand their dairy business. When the demand wasn’t met, Vimlesh faced daily taunts and physical abuse. She informed her brother about the harassment several times, but despite his efforts to mediate, the abuse continued. Assaulted and forced to drink acid On 20 September 2025, the accused family members allegedly assaulted Vimlesh again. The next day, she consumed acid at her in-laws’ home. She died during treatment. Shockingly, police registered the case 26 days after the incident, on 17 October. Case registered; accused absconding A case of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide has been lodged against her husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and parents-in-law. All five accused are absconding, and police teams are conducting searches to trace them. ​