In a disturbing case of domestic abuse and unrealistic expectations, a 26-year-old woman from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to relentless physical, emotional, and psychological torture. The young bride, Shanu (also known as Shanvi), alleged that her husband forced her to exercise for nearly three hours a day in the hope of making her look like Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi. Failure to comply with his demands, she claims, would often result in starvation, humiliation, and physical assault.
What began as a promising arranged marriage in March this year soon turned into a nightmare marked by dowry demands, abuse, and a forced miscarriage.
A Lavish Marriage That Led to Trauma
On March 6, Shanu was married to Shivam Ujjawal, a physical education teacher at a government school. The wedding, arranged by both families, was nothing short of extravagant. Shanu’s family reportedly spent over ₹76 lakh, which included ₹16 lakh worth of gold jewellery, a Mahindra Scorpio SUV worth ₹24 lakh, and ₹10 lakh in cash.
Despite the heavy financial investment, Shanu’s marital journey was far from what she or her family had envisioned. Within days of moving into her in-laws’ home, Shanu began experiencing isolation and mistreatment. Her mother-in-law kept her constantly occupied with household chores, leaving her little time to bond with her husband. She was not allowed to go out with him, stripping the relationship of privacy and normalcy.
Physical Abuse and Body Shaming
According to Shanu’s complaint, the abuse escalated quickly. She recounted an incident when Shivam became furious because she had forgotten to fix the mosquito net. Instead of addressing it calmly, he stormed into his parents’ room, leaving her behind. Later, her in-laws hurled verbal abuses, and Shivam physically assaulted her.
But what shocked Shanu the most was her husband’s obsession with actress Nora Fatehi. She said Shivam often complained that he could have easily married someone as attractive as the Bollywood star and accused her of “ruining his life.”
“Despite my average height and fair complexion, I was constantly body-shamed. My husband called me fat and ugly, telling me he deserved someone better,” Shanu alleged in her written complaint.
To fulfill his unrealistic fantasy, Shivam allegedly forced Shanu to exercise for three hours every day. On days when she failed to complete the workout, she was denied food for days at a stretch.
Humiliation and Lack of Privacy
The mistreatment extended beyond exercise and body shaming. Shanu was denied even the basic dignity of privacy. She was not allowed to close the bedroom door, and her father-in-law would walk in unannounced under the pretext of “checking on his son.”
When she attempted to report incidents of violence to her in-laws, the blame was often shifted onto her. Once, when Shivam hit her with a diary, Shanu approached her in-laws for support. Instead of holding their son accountable, they asked her to fetch new clothes and a kitchen appliance from her parents’ home.
Dowry Demands and Harassment
Despite the hefty sum already spent on the marriage, Shanu claimed her husband and his family repeatedly demanded more money, land, jewellery, and expensive clothes. When she resisted, she was taunted, insulted, and mentally harassed.
The humiliation was not limited to her alone. On one occasion, Shivam allegedly abused Shanu’s brother without any provocation. When Shanu opposed the behavior, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law forced her to bow down to her husband and apologize, further compounding her suffering.
Forced Abortion and Miscarriage
Amid the cycle of abuse, Shanu discovered she was pregnant and hoped that the news might bring joy and soften her in-laws’ behavior. However, her expectations were shattered when they reacted with indifference.
Days later, Shanu’s sister-in-law Ruchi allegedly handed her an abortion pill, insisting that she consume it. According to Shanu, Shivam justified the act by saying, “When I haven’t accepted you, how can I accept your child?”
Shanu was also reportedly given food laced with harmful spices under the guise of strengthening the fetus. Soon after, she developed a burning sensation in her throat and began to feel unwell.
On July 9, she was rushed to the hospital after severe bleeding. Doctors confirmed that she had suffered a miscarriage.
The situation became unbearable for Shanu. On June 18, her parents intervened and brought her back home after noticing her deteriorating health and mental state. The very same day, Shivam, along with his mother and sister, allegedly threatened her over the phone, abusing her and warning of divorce.
A month later, when Shanu attempted to return to her in-laws’ house on July 26, she was denied entry. She was also refused her personal belongings, including jewellery and clothes.
On August 14, Shanu finally registered a formal complaint against her husband and in-laws, accusing them of:
- Mental and physical torture
- Dowry harassment
- Abetment to miscarriage
- Blackmail and threats of divorce
She has demanded a thorough probe and justice for the ordeal she endured.
A Larger Reflection on Abuse and Unrealistic Expectations
Shanu’s harrowing account sheds light on the alarming intersection of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and toxic beauty standards in India. The alleged obsession of her husband with a celebrity figure like Nora Fatehi reflects the damaging impact of unrealistic expectations in relationships. Instead of offering love, respect, and partnership, Shanu was treated as an object to be molded into a fantasy version of beauty.
Her story also raises troubling questions about the persistence of dowry demands despite legal prohibitions, and the complicity of in-laws in perpetuating cycles of abuse.
At present, Shanu is living with her parents, trying to recover from the physical and emotional trauma she endured. Authorities have acknowledged her complaint, and an investigation is reportedly underway.
The case underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of laws against domestic violence and dowry harassment. More importantly, it highlights the importance of challenging societal pressures and the dangerous idealization of unrealistic standards of beauty.
For Shanu, the road ahead may be long and difficult, but her decision to speak up marks an important step in seeking justice — not only for herself but also for countless women who continue to endure abuse in silence.
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