Dowry-Related Assault Captured on CCTV in Ludhiana

On the evening of October 21, a 29-year-old man identified as Ritish Sharma was recorded dragging his wife, Twinkle, by the hair, slapping and kicking her on Jassian Road in the Green Enclave area of Ludhiana, Punjab. Neighbours are shown attempting to intervene as the assault continued in public. Twinkle’s brother, Gaurav Kumar, told police that the couple married in November of the previous year and that Sharma began demanding a Mahindra Thar SUV and a motorcycle about three months into the marriage, citing Twinkle’s earnings from her salon business as justification. According to Twiddle’s statements, Sharma also took a loan of Rs 50,000 using her card before escalating the demands. After the assault inside their home, Twinkle fled to a neighbour’s house, but Sharma pursued her onto the street and continued the beating. Gaurav said he and his father were attacked by Sharma’s family members when they arrived to help, sustaining head injuries that required stitches.

Punjab woman slapped, kicked, dragged by hair by husband. He wanted Thar, bike

The incident is framed by the family as a case of dowry-related harassment, a persistent issue in parts of India where spouses or in-laws demand additional gifts or assets after marriage. In this instance, the demanded assets were a high-value SUV and a motorcycle, items the victim’s family could not provide. The alleged use of a loan taken on the victim’s credit card underscores the financial pressure often associated with such demands.

Punjab woman slapped, kicked, dragged by hair by husband. He wanted Thar, bike

The in-charge of the Jagatpuri police outpost confirmed that statements from the parties were recorded on the Saturday following the assault and that Twinkle’s medico-legal report had been received. Police indicated that an FIR would be registered shortly, and the accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Hindustan Times noted that the video’s authenticity has not yet been verified.

Hindustan Times

“The complaint was forwarded to the Jagatpuri police check post for inquiry and that Twinkle’s medico-legal report was awaited. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.” — Inspector Jasvir Singh, station house officer of Haibowal police station

Hindustan Times