Police are on the lookout for the husband, who is absconding (Representational)
A man in Alapuzha district in Kerala allegedly beat up his wife and poured acid on her, demanding more dowry. She was left with grievous injuries.
According to a statement given to the police by the 31-year-old woman, her husband and mother-in-law used to often quarrel with her and torture her for not bringing in enough dowry.
The woman claimed that at the time of her wedding, nine years ago, her parents had promised to give Rs 2 lakh in cash and 20 sovereigns of gold as dowry. But they could only give the gold and due to that she was tortured.
On June 6, the woman's husband allegedly hit her on the head with a piece of firewood and as she lay on the floor with blood oozing out, he threw acid at her, police said.
Though she managed to protect her face, the acid gave her burn injuries on her ears, neck and back. She was taken to a taluk hospital by her mother whom she had called for help, they said.
On the basis of the woman's complaint at a Punalur police station in Kollam on June 10, her husband and mother-in-law were booked for cruelty and causing grievous hurt by the use of acid, police said.
Since the incident occurred at Chengannur, the case was transferred and re-registered.
Investigations have begun, Chengannur police sources said, adding efforts are on to nab the woman's husband who is absconding.