A man from Ahmadpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit District allegedly chopped off his wife's nose after her family refused to pay dowry.
Police said Jahan-e-Alam first assaulted his wife, and then, chopped off her nose and hair after she failed to meet his dowry demands.
"A woman in Puranpur area has reported that after a domestic fight over dowry, she was beaten by her husband. He then hit her nose with a sharp item. She is undergoing medical treatment now. Based on the complaint given by the girl's family, we have filed a case against the accused. We will investigate the matter and take action against the culprit," said Superintendent of Police, Pilibhit, Sudhir Kumar Singh.
The victim is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
"He was asking me for dowry. He first assaulted me. Then he chopped off my nose and hair," said the victim.
The girl's parents said that Alam was demanding Rs 20,000 and a motorcycle from them.
The incident has evoked sharp comments from rights activists.
"It is a very sad day that after so many years of independence and talk of equality for women, here is a young bride whose hair and nose has been chopped off by her husband and in-laws for not getting dowry. 498(A) of IPC says that it is a cognizable, non-bailable offence with three years' imprisonment and also Section 338 which says endangering life by causing grievous hurt. Action must be taken against the husband and in-laws under these sections," said lawyer and activist, Abha Singh.
Police said that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered and search is on for the accused who is absconding.
