Karnataka Governor's Grandson Accused of Dowry Harassment, Violence, and Child Abduction by Wife

The couple married on April 29, 2018, in Tal (Alot), under the Chief Minister's Kanyadaan Yojana.

Bhopal:

Divya Gehlot, wife of Devendra Gehlot, grandson of Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, has filed serious accusations including dowry harassment, attempted murder, domestic violence, and the abduction of her minor daughter.

The case has been brought to Ratlam Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar in Madhya Pradesh. Divya submitted a written complaint requesting immediate action and the return of her 4-year-old daughter, who she claims is being forcibly held by her in-laws in Nagda, Ujjain district.

According to Divya's statement, her husband Devendra Gehlot (33), father-in-law Jitendra Gehlot (55) who previously served as an MLA from Alot, brother-in-law Vishal Gehlot (25), and grandmother-in-law Anita Gehlot (60) have subjected her to years of harassment over demands for Rs 50 lakh in dowry.

She contends that critical information regarding her husband's alcoholism, drug addiction, and extramarital relationships was deliberately hidden before their marriage.

The wedding took place on April 29, 2018, in Tal (Alot) under the Chief Minister's Kanyadaan Yojana, with prominent leaders in attendance, including Thawarchand Gehlot, then Union Minister, and former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Divya alleges that after arriving at her matrimonial home, she discovered her husband's dependencies on alcohol and drugs, along with his relationships with other women. She reports experiencing physical violence, psychological torture, and constant pressure regarding the promised dowry amount.

The harassment reportedly intensified during her 2021 pregnancy. Divya claims she was frequently denied meals, physically abused, and mentally tormented. The alleged mistreatment continued unabated even after her daughter's birth. Despite a settlement attempt in 2019, Divya maintains that "nothing changed; things only got worse."

In her complaint, Divya describes a terrifying incident on January 26, when her husband allegedly returned home intoxicated. She claims he violently assaulted her and threatened, "If you don't bring money today, I'll kill you." According to Divya, he then pushed her from the rooftop. She fell into the gallery below, sustaining serious injuries to her spine, shoulder, and waist. She alleges she was denied medical attention throughout the night.

The following morning, she was transported to a private hospital in Nagda, where doctors assessed her condition as critical and referred her to Bombay Hospital in Indore. Divya claims her parents were not informed, and her father was pressured into covering the medical expenses.

Divya's greatest concern remains her daughter. She alleges her in-laws are forcibly keeping her 4-year-old daughter and preventing any contact. She recounts that when she attempted to visit her daughter at school in November, her husband intervened, warning, "Unless you bring money from your parents, you cannot meet your daughter." Her complaint included the plea, "Only a mother can properly care for her child... I want my daughter back."

Divya initially approached Ratlam SP Amit Kumar, explaining that her parents reside in Ratlam where she is currently staying. However, as most incidents occurred in Nagda (Ujjain district), she was advised to submit a formal complaint to the Ujjain IG and Ujjain SP.

Nevertheless, Ratlam Police have accepted her application and forwarded it appropriately.

When asked about the allegations, former MLA Jitendra Gehlot briefly responded, "Anyone can make allegations. I will present all the facts before the media."