Married at the age of 15, widowed and left in the lurch at the age of 65, 75-year-old Satyavati Devi's life today is one of penury and she has sought the 220 grams of gold and Rs.7,000 that her parents gave to her in-laws at the time of her marriage. Satyavati Devi, a resident of Bihar's Nalanda district, has urged District Magistrate Sanjay Agrawal to help her get back the dowry.
"Satyavati Devi approached me seeking return of dowry from her in-laws who left her in the lurch and are enjoying their lives," Agrawal told the media over phone.
According to Devi, after her husband died, her brothers-in-law and other family members forcibly took over her assets. Ever since that, she has been living in poverty. She lost one of her two sons due to lack of proper medical treatment, and even her other son is physically unfit to earn livelihood.
Devi says that her parents had given Rs.7,000, 220 grams of gold and other costly items as dowry in her marriage to Jitendra Singh of Kalyanbigha.
"My financial condition is very poor, I along with my son and his family are struggling for survival. In view of this, I urge you to help me get back my dowry money with interest," Satyavati mentioned in her petition to Agrawal.
Agrawal said that he has forwarded her petition to family helpline and other officials.