Ministers in dv & 498 a

New Delhi:

Barely days after an Odisha’s law minister was charged with dowry allegations by his daughter-in-law,  Kerala Forest Minister was in the eye of political storm following the allegations of domestic violence by his wife.

Similar cases of crime against women by political leaders have surfaced time and again speaking of the extent of harassment on women and reigniting the fears on how safe are the ‘dens’ of these ministers.

Jagran Post takes a look back at a few similar incidents where law-makers themselves have been accused of torture and harassment of women throwing light on how unsafe their ‘dens’ can be.

KB Ganesh Kumar in domestic violence case:

Kerala Forest Minister KB Ganesh Kumar was forced to step down after his wife leveled charges of domestic violence against him.

Kumar’s wife Yamini Thankachi had filed a complaint accusing him of torturing her mentally and physically.

READ MORE: Assault by Kerala minister sparks row

Kumar, who initially took a defiant stand on the charges levelled by his wife as "totally baseless" but had to resign later.

While Kumar charged his wife of "blackmailing" and "manhandling", Yamini rejected the allegations and asserted she was a victim of "domestic violence" for the last 16 years after she objected to her husband's "illicit affairs".

Yamini also alleged that she could not get justice from the Chief Minister whom she had approached with a complaint.

Kumar, a second time MLA from Pathanapuram in Kollam district, had a tough time right from the start of his second stint as minister with his father and Kerala Congress (B) supremo R Balakrishna Pillai calling for his withdrawal.

Raghunath Mohanty accused of dowry torture:

On Tuesday, Odisha’s former law minister Raghunath Mohanty and his wife Pritilata got bail, three days after they were arrested for torturing their daughter-in-law for dowry.

The daughter-in-law of ex-Odisha minister had filed a complaint against him and his family accusing them of torturing her for dowry.

READ MORE: Dowry case:Ex-Odisha minister gets bail

The 64-year-old minister, who has been five-time legislator from Basta constituency in Balasore district, had to resign from the State Cabinet on March 15 following the complaint by his daughter-in-law.

In her complaint, Barsa Swony Choudhury had alleged that she had been physically and mentally tortured by her husband Raja Shree since their wedding in June 2012.

She also alleged that her father-in-law Raghunath, mother-in-law Pritilata, sister-in-law Rupashree and other family members were also involved in the crime.

Choudhury had also alleged that her parents had given Rs10 lakh at the time of the marriage, as was demanded by her in-laws.

Arjun Singh in dowry case:

Former HRD minister Arjun Singh was also embroiled in a similar controversy when family of his grandson’s wife had charged him and other family members of harassing her for dowry.

A case under Anti-Dowry Act was registered against Singh, his wife Beena Singh, son Abhimanyu Singh, grandson Abhijeet Singh and three others at a police station in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.

The case was registered on the direction of additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Chandausi, on a complaint by Madhvendra Singh, father of Priyanka Singh whom Abhijeet married.

Madhvendra Singh had alleged that his daughter was tortured by the minister and his family over the demand of a Mercedes car and a flat.

Arjun Singh's son Abhimanyu claimed his son had filed a divorce petition and the allegation of demanding dowry levelled by the girl's family was a "retaliatory" act.

P Angalane in domestic violence case:

Former Puducherry Welfare Minister P Angalane courted controversy when his second wife Kavipriya, alleged abuse and torture against him. She also filed a domestic violence case against the minister.

Kavipriya, whom he married after divorcing his first wife in 1999, had accused him of torturing her as she was an impediment for the Minister's third marriage.

JPN/Agencies