Woman strangled by husband over dowry demand

Lucknow: A woman was allegedly strangled to death by her husband over a domestic dispute in Banthra late on Friday night.

The accused, identified as Sandeep Gautam, fled the scene immediately after the incident and is absconding, police said.

The victim, 25-year-old Meera Devi, was married to Sandeep Gautam, son of village head, around a year ago.

Meera, a native of Rampurwa village in Hardoi's Sandila police station area, reportedly faced harassment over dowry since the early days of her marriage. Neighbours and relatives said frequent quarrels took place between the couple, and the relationship was strained for several months.

On Friday around 8 pm, a heated argument broke out between the two while they were alone at home. In a fit of rage, Sandeep allegedly slammed Meera to the ground, causing severe injuries to her head and mouth. As she bled from the face, he then allegedly used her dupatta to strangle her to death.

"The woman was strangled to death using a piece of cloth," said Banthra SHO Ram Singh.