UP woman dies by suicide after Triple Talaq over phone amid dowry harassment, Cop suspended due to inaction

A 23-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur died by suicide on Monday evening after her husband allegedly pronounced triple talaq over a phone call, triggering shock and outrage over continued dowry harassment and police inaction. The woman, Saniya, had returned to her maternal home just days earlier after facing sustained abuse at the hands of her in-laws in Maharashtra.

According to police, Saniya’s mother had filed a dowry harassment complaint at the Chauri Chaura police station before the incident, but Sub-Inspector Jay Prakash Singh failed to act on it. An internal inquiry later confirmed the complaint was dismissed, prompting the suspension of the officer and a departmental probe.

Saniya had married Salauddin, a resident of Rasayani, Maharashtra, in August 2023. Despite giving dowry as per his family’s demand, Saniya was allegedly tormented by her husband, his mother, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. The harassment continued even after she was temporarily housed separately by Salauddin, who eventually abandoned her.

On April 26, she returned to her parents’ house in Gorakhpur. On April 28, she received a phone call from Salauddin during which he reportedly abused her and gave her triple talaq. Later that evening, Saniya died by suicide. A case has now been filed against eight people, including her husband and his family members, under dowry harassment and related sections.

The incident has sparked demands for stricter enforcement of anti-dowry and anti–triple talaq laws, as well as accountability within police ranks. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have promised swift action against those responsible.