A woman from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Mehak Khan, has revealed a deeply disturbing story of abuse and coercion in her marital home, highlighting the grim realities of gender bias and dowry harassment prevalent in some parts of India. After marrying Shah Faheed in 2021, Mehak was immediately subjected to demands for several lakhs of rupees and a car as dowry. When she could not meet these demands, she faced daily physical beatings that left her with serious spinal injuries.
The abuse intensified after she gave birth to a daughter. During her next two pregnancies, ultrasounds determined the foetuses were female, leading to forced abortions both times. Shocking allegations also include Mehak being compelled to have sexual relations with her father-in-law and brother-in-law upon her mother-in-law’s instructions, in an attempt to conceive a male child.
When Mehak reported the abuse to her husband, he failed to take any action in her defence. Recently, she and her daughter were brutally beaten and thrown out of their house, with threats not to return until dowry demands were met. Police have registered an FIR against seven family members including the husband, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and sisters-in-law, and the case is under active investigation.
Societal Pressures and Gender Bias Driving Abuse
Kanpur’s case is an extreme example of the entrenched preference for male children that still influences many families in rural and semi-urban India. This deeply patriarchal mindset often places women under immense pressure to produce male offspring, leading to illegal practices such as sex-selective abortions, and frequent violations of women’s rights. The demand for dowry further compounds the vulnerabilities of married women, frequently escalating into physical violence, emotional abuse, and exploitation.
Mehak’s experiences enable us to comprehend these harsh realities beyond statistics, the emotional pain, coercion, and injustice faced daily. Legal experts and social activists have reiterated the need for strict implementation of anti-dowry laws, the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act which bans sex determination and selective abortion, and sensitisation programmes to change regressive societal attitudes.
Legal and Community Response
Following Mehak’s complaint, the Kanpur police have taken swift action, registering an FIR against those accused. A police official confirmed the seriousness of the case and assured the public that thorough investigation and appropriate legal measures would follow. However, such cases raise questions about the adequacy of law enforcement and the support systems available to victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
Experts have called for better protection for women within families, wider access to counselling and rehabilitation, and stronger community outreach to educate families about the legal and moral imperatives to respect women’s rights. Community leaders and civil society must also play a vital role in fostering environments where women can speak out safely and have their grievances addressed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic narrative is a stark reminder of the urgent work needed to eradicate gender-based violence and ensure equality and dignity for all. The Logical Indian condemns the abuse and exploitation endured by Mehak Khan and countless others, and urges society to commit to kindness, empathy, and respect as core values.
Structural change requires not just laws, but a cultural transformation through education, dialogue, and empowerment of women and vulnerable communities.
