Gopalganj, Dec 26: A man from Bihar’s Gopalganj district has been arrested on charges of dowry harassment, domestic violence and bigamy after complaints were filed by his first and second wives, police said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Pintu Barnwal, allegedly married three women within a span of three years without legally divorcing any of his previous wives.
Police action followed written complaints accusing him and his family members of demanding dowry, subjecting the women to physical abuse and abandoning them after marriage.
According to the complainants, Barnwal repeatedly entered into marriages for financial gain. His first wife, Khushboo Kumari, alleged that her family gave ₹3 lakh in cash, gold jewellery and household items at the time of marriage, following which additional demands of ₹5 lakh and a car were made.
She further alleged that she was beaten and thrown out of the house when the demands were not met. Khushboo claimed that Barnwal later married a second and then a third woman without divorcing her.
She said the second wife has a 10-month-old child, while the third wife has a one-month-old baby.
The second wife, Gudiya Kumari, alleged that she was deceived into marriage and later abandoned after Barnwal married another woman without informing her or seeking a divorce.
She claimed that the family routinely demanded jewellery and money from women who married into the household.
Denying the allegations, Barnwal said all charges of dowry harassment and violence were false and motivated.
He admitted to marrying three times but claimed he was forced to do so due to domestic circumstances, particularly the need to care for his elderly and ailing mother.
Police said Barnwal was arrested after receiving complaints from both wives and was produced before a court, which sent him to judicial custody. Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added.
