Raids fail to trace Santosini’s in-laws

The police on Saturday started investigation into Santosini Mallick dowry torture case in which  Director (Investigations) of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Gopabandhu Mallick was allegedly involved. 

On Friday, a case was registered by Sahadevkhunta police in Balasore against Gopabandhu and five others including Santosini’s husband Nanda Kishore Mallick for allegedly torturing her for additional dowry. 

A team of policemen led by a sub-inspector visited the house of Santoini and recorded her statement along with her relatives. Later, the team raided different places to locate her husband and in-laws. 

Sources said the police team raided her husband’s house in Kalidaspur area in the town and his native Saudi village under Singla police limits. “We could not find the prime accused and her in-laws. The charges levelled against the Mallick, a senior IPS officer, are being verified,” said the investigating police officer.

Santosini (31), sister-in-law of Mallick had alleged that she was tortured for additional dowry of ` 80,000. Nanda Kishore, who had married her in 2001, is the brother of the IPS officer’s wife Bhavani Mallick.

Alleging that SHRC Director had kept her two daughters in his official quarters, Santosini  has demanded his immediate arrest and security for her.

Meanwhile, the Director talking to a private television channel said he would cooperate with the investigative agency. “The truth will come out after thorough investigation,” he said.