Teacher from Shrikot, Pauri Garhwal found dead 8 months after marriage; husband and 3 others booked for dowry death

Shrikot, Garhwal

A 26-year-old school teacher from Shrikot village in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, died under suspicious circumstances just eight months after her wedding, triggering widespread anger in the area. The deceased has been identified as Srishti Kandari. Based on a complaint filed by her family, police have registered an FIR against her husband, a secretariat employee, and three other members of his family for dowry harassment and dowry death.

According to the family, Srishti was married in December last year. The wedding was conducted with all traditional rituals and the family said they had given cash, jewelry and household items as per their capacity. However, within a few weeks of the marriage, the demands began. Srishti’s parents allege that her husband and in-laws started demanding a car and additional cash soon after the wedding. When the family expressed inability to meet the demands, Srishti reportedly became the target of constant taunts, mental harassment and physical abuse.

Relatives said Srishti had called her parents several times over the last few months, crying and saying she was being insulted daily. She told them that she was being pressured to bring more money from her parents and was threatened that if she did not, she would be thrown out of the house. The family claims they tried to intervene and counsel both sides, hoping the situation would improve, but the harassment continued.

On Saturday, the family received information that Srishti had died at her matrimonial home in Shrikot. They rushed to the spot and alleged that the circumstances pointed to foul play rather than suicide. In a video statement that surfaced after the incident, a visibly distressed Srishti is seen speaking about the torture she faced from day one of the marriage. In the recording she names her husband, her husband’s sisters and other family members, holding them responsible for pushing her to the extreme step.

After receiving the complaint, Jwalapur and Pauri police reached the house, took the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death. Based on the father’s written complaint, an FIR has been registered against the husband and three other family members under sections relating to dowry death, cruelty by husband and relatives, and provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act. Police have seized Srishti’s mobile phone and other documents and said the video will be examined as part of the evidence.

The post-mortem report is awaited. The accused have been questioned and further investigation is underway. Police said statements of neighbors, relatives and colleagues are being recorded to establish the timeline of harassment.

The incident has sparked outrage among teacher associations and women’s groups in Pauri. They have demanded a fast-track and impartial probe and strict punishment for the guilty. Locals held a candlelight gathering in Shrikot demanding justice for Srishti and calling for greater awareness against dowry practices even among educated families.

Officials said the investigation will also look into whether any prior complaint was made to police or to the village panchayat. The family has urged the administration to ensure that the case is not diluted and that all those named in the FIR are brought to trial.

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, help is available through Women Helpline 181, 112 for emergencies, and district legal services.

According to T S Bhandari a leading entrepreneur in Delhi and a native of Lostubadiyargarh , Tehri Garhwal : Sunil ji, Sristi was from native area, Lostu. She was a brilliant girl and was teaching in the local GIC. Her brother is Ritanshu Kandari, a dedicated young worker of BJP through ABVP. I spoke to Sri Vinod Kandari, MLA of the constituency, Devprayag, and he conveyed me, he has met the CM in the unfortunate matter and an immediate investigation has been ordered to book the culprits under the law, the inlaws of the deceased.
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