The Calcutta High Court's Port Blair Bench on February 6 overturned the discharge of a woman’s in-laws in a tragic dowry harassment case where the woman ended her life along with her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The woman, Bhawna, died by suicide in 2021 after reportedly facing mental and physical torture from her husband’s family, especially after giving birth to a girl child. The Port Blair sessions court had earlier dropped charges against the in-laws, but Justice Apurba Sinha Ray set aside that order and directed the in-laws, including the parents-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, to surrender within four weeks. Justice Ray said, "Although we are happy and indeed rejoicing that our daughters have won the World Cup in Cricket recently, and they are also making remarkable achievements in different fields, sectors etc., the passing away of Rudrika at the age of one and half years reminds us that still we have to go a long way to achieve complete equality for our girl children." He also quoted Justice Krishna Iyer: "No society is free until the last damsel in distress is free." The court noted that the sessions judge had charged only the husband under Sections 498(A) and 304(B) of the IPC, but the high court ruled that witness statements against the in-laws must be considered. The prosecution argued that the in-laws regularly demanded dowry, including ₹20 lakh, and increased torture once Bhawna gave birth to a daughter. The in-laws’ lawyer claimed most complaints were aimed at the husband and that they were not present during the alleged incidents. The court ordered the sessions judge to take the in-laws into custody and frame charges properly. This case highlights continued social challenges around dowry and gender equality. Those in distress can call Lifeline Foundation at 033-24637401/32 for help.