A 32-year-old mother has become a symbol of both victimhood and strength after enduring unimaginable horrors at the hands of her in-laws in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, a chilling tale of cruelty and resilience has surfaced, shedding light on the darker corners of societal evils. Preeti Singh, a 32-year-old mother, has become a symbol of both victimhood and strength after enduring unimaginable horrors at the hands of her in-laws in Meerut.
Her story is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges women continue to face in the fight against dowry demands and gender-based discrimination.
Preeti’s ordeal began 11 years ago with her marriage to Harveer Singh of Jewar, Greater Noida. The union, which should have been the start of a new chapter, quickly became a nightmare for her. Preeti’s father, Sukhbir Singh, recounted Harveer and his family’s relentless dowry demands. Despite fulfilling many of these unreasonable expectations, Preeti’s troubles multiplied when she gave birth to a girl three years ago.
Rather than celebrating the birth of a child, her in-laws launched a vicious attack on Preeti with acid thrown at her, leaving her with disfiguring burns to her face and neck. Even then, Preeti and her family sought reconciliation, hoping that assurances of changed behaviour from her in-laws would bring peace. But the torment continued unabated.
The cruelties inflicted on Preeti reached new depths when her in-laws allegedly sold her newborn son to an unknown person two years ago without her consent. This act of betrayal shattered her trust further. But the worst blow came when Harveer married another woman and brazenly brought her to live in the same house last year, abandoning any semblance of familial respect.
The final straw came on December 18. According to Sukhbir Singh, Preeti’s in-laws attacked her again with acid, causing critical burns to her hands and shoulder. This second attack was the culmination of years of abuse. Preeti was rushed to a local doctor and later referred to a higher medical institution in Meerut for urgent care.
Now, Preeti’s family has taken a stand. They are demanding strict action against her in-laws and have refused to send her back into the clutches of her tormentors.
According to the reports reaching here, on Wednesday (December 25), the victim, accompanied by her father, approached the SSP Bulandshahr’s office to file a complaint on the matter.
SSP Shlok Kumar said, “A complaint has been received and an FIR will be registered in the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the complaint. The woman has been sent for a medical examination,” said Kumar.
Preeti Singh’s story is not an isolated one. It is a stark reminder of the prevalence of dowry harassment and gender-based violence in India, even as society strides toward progress. Her resilience in the face of such cruelty serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action.
As Preeti fights for her life and dignity, her ordeal makes all of us reflect on the deep-seated biases that enable such atrocities and abnormal behaviour.