Help pours in for dowry violence victim

LUCKNOW: Moved by the suffering of the 25-year-old dowry violence victim, Kamla, several Lucknowites came forward to offer help. They opened their hearts and wallets for the motherof-two admitted at PGI’s burns and plastic surgery department.

So far, Rs 90,000 have been collected to fund a life-saving reconstructive surgery for Kamla, who suffered nearly 60% burns after being allegedly set ablaze by her in-laws for not meeting their dowry demands.

This happened after Hindustan Times highlighted her plight.

Puneet Kumar, her brother, said, “After HT reported the issue, eight people came forward to help. Already, Rs90,000 has been collected. Some others have also offered to help.”

Abandoned by her husband, Kamla has been lying at PGI for the last 45 days, awaiting her parents and brother to somehow put together the Rs 1.5 lakh required for the operation.

Former Lucknow University vice-chancellor and activist, Roop Rekha Verma, has also pitched in to help. She has offered to fund the remaining amount needed for the procedure.

Talking to HT, Verma said she was in touch with the woman’s family and had ensured all possible help from her side.

Puneet said that while the doctors have started treating Kamla, his sister’s condition was “still not good”.

“We are thankful to everyone who helped us, but Kamla also needs prayers to recover from her injuries,” he said.

DGP HQS TAKES NOTICE

Senior officials at the headquarters of the director general of police (DGP) have taken serious cognizance of the HT report on Kamla’s plight, but the cops at Para police station are still to act promptly in the case.

The victim’s family says the cops are helping Arvind Kumar (Kamla’s husband) and his family, who not only set her ablaze, but have also forcibly kept her two sons Riyan (4) and Rishab (1) away from her.

Puneet alleged that subinspector (SI) Satyadev Yadav, investigation officer in the case, filed a complaint against the victim’s husband and in-laws, telephoned them to get the custody of the children, but also intimated them about a police team reaching their house, thus giving them time to flee.

“Their entire family was missing...even my sister’s children...when I went there with police. Neighbours said the family had barely left 30 minutes before we arrived. It suggests that the police intimated them,” said Puneet.

He had earlier blamed the S-I of favouring Arvind and his family, by not filing a charge sheet and allowing them to get out on bail.