128 women dead in Gwalior in last 5 years:Cases of dowry bargains after marriage; Instagram queen Palak, Nisha among victims

The Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh has always been in the headlines for cases of dowry harassment and dowry deaths. However, while the numbers have decreased in recent years, the situation is still quite dire. Like Twisha from Bhopal, the daughters (daughters-in-law) of Gwalior have also fallen victim to bargaining and dowry after marriage. Several cases have emerged here, including Instagram girl Palak Rajak, Nisha from Thatipura, and Preeti from Kampu. In these cases, immediately after marriage, they began to be harassed over dowry demands. Distressed by this, they either took the step of suicide or were murdered. In Gwalior district, over 128 daughters have fallen victim to the greed and cruelty of their in-laws’ families within the last 5 years. These were daughters whose henna had not even properly faded from their hands when they were either murdered for cars, cash, and gold and silver jewelry, or were harassed to such an extent that they were forced to commit suicide. 50 daughters-in-law face harassment every month Talking about cases registered in the police department in Gwalior over the past five years, 2800 daughters-in-law and daughters have been victims of physical, mental and dowry harassment, while between 2021 and 2025, 128 daughters-in-law and daughters have died. This means approximately 50 daughters-in-law are becoming victims of dowry harassment and domestic violence every month. Along with this, 2 to 3 daughters-in-law are becoming victims of dowry murder every month. Now know about the notable cases of the region 1. Instagram queen Palak harassed for a car Palak Rajak, an Instagram queen living in Suraiyapura, Gwalior, died under suspicious circumstances on May 12, 2026. The in-laws’ side is calling it suicide, while the maternal side has alleged murder. Just 30 minutes before her death, Palak had called her brother Prince pleading to save her life. Palak had said, “Take me away, otherwise they will kill me.” When her brother reached the hospital, his sister’s body was lying on a stretcher. 21-year-old Palak had more than 10,000 followers on social media. When police and family examined her Instagram account, several posts and reels came to light in which she appeared to indicate mental stress, suffocation and breakdown. Police investigation also revealed that Palak had not eaten food for three days before her death. According to preliminary information, the in-laws’ side was demanding a bike and car as dowry. 2. Harassment at in-laws’ place, Muskan took her life after coming to maternal home 22-year-old Muskan Kushwah, a resident of Tighra village in Tighra police station area of Gwalior, was married to Bhupendra Kushwah, a resident of Sikandar Kampu, a year ago. It is alleged that since the marriage, her in-laws had been harassing her, citing that she had brought less dowry. According to the maternal family, the in-laws were demanding a car as dowry. Due to this, Muskan had come to stay at her maternal home 15 days ago. She was very disturbed mentally. Muskan committed suicide by hanging herself in a room of the house. At the time of the incident, only her younger brother was present at home, but he did not even get a hint of it. At that time, Muskan’s parents had gone out for some work. 3. Husband made her drink acid for not bringing dowry 26-year-old pregnant woman Nisha Rathore, a resident of Thatipur in Gwalior, died during treatment on June 24, 2026. In a video recorded before her death, she accused her husband Gajendra Rathore of beating, torturing, and forcibly making her drink acid for dowry. Police are investigating the case based on the video, medical report, and other evidence. On June 22, Nisha Rathore, a resident of New Mehra Colony in Thatipur police station area, was admitted to Jayarogya Hospital in critical condition, where she died during treatment on the evening of June 24. 4. Deceived in marriage, demanded car in exchange for keeping her In a case of a young woman’s suicide in Gwalior, police have registered a case of abetment to suicide against her husband, his first wife, and sister after investigation. The main basis for this action was a video made by the young woman just before committing suicide. Distressed by the fraud of her retired army husband Raju alias Satyanarayan Bhadauria, the young woman committed suicide by hanging herself on February 11, 2026. She had married the soldier through a notary in a love marriage after 6 months of relationship, despite family opposition. Later she discovered that her husband was already married and was also the father of two children. It is alleged that when the young woman protested against this, her army husband started demanding dowry. Pattern of crime: journey from taunts to suicide According to experts and police counseling, immediately after marriage or within a few months, new demands for dowry in the form of cars, bikes, gold-silver jewelry or cash begin. Initially, mild taunts are given and the bride’s family is belittled. When demands are not met, the harassment gradually turns into beatings and serious physical torture. Due to fear of society and defamation, many girls and their families do not approach the police in the initial stages. In an attempt to save the relationship, women continue to endure harassment for a long time and ultimately, mentally broken, take a step like suicide. In some cases, they die under suspicious circumstances, after which, based on investigation, a case is registered under dowry death or other related sections. Harassment begins with taunts and comments CSP Manish Yadav stated that the dowry system and the violence it causes is one of the most serious distortions in society. After marriage, such cases often begin with mild taunts and comments. Gradually, this takes the form of dowry harassment and domestic violence. In recent times, cases have also emerged where disputes arose over making reels or being active on social media.