Police in Kollam, Kerala, arrested three men after a newlywed couple was brutally tortured over a dowry demand, sparking calls for stronger action against dowry violence.

A newlywed couple in Kollam, Kerala, were brutally tortured over a dowry demand, police said Friday.

The assault took place inside the couple's residence on Friday night. Neighbors heard screams and alerted authorities. When police arrived, they found the husband and wife with severe injuries and signs of prolonged physical abuse.

Investigators arrested three men suspected of demanding the dowry and carrying out the torture. The police spokesperson confirmed that the suspects were taken into custody and that forensic teams collected evidence from the scene.

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, demanding or receiving dowry is a criminal offence punishable by up to seven years in prison. The act also criminalises physical abuse linked to dowry demands. Prosecutors have charged the arrested men with aggravated assault and dowry harassment.

The National Crime Records Bureau reported 7,300 dowry‑related deaths in India in 2022, the highest figure in a decade. Kerala accounted for 1,200 of those cases, according to the agency’s latest data.

A spokesperson for the Kerala Women’s Rights Forum said the case highlights the persistence of dowry‑related violence despite legal safeguards. The organization urged faster judicial processing and community outreach to deter similar crimes.

The district court has scheduled a hearing for the suspects on November 12. Police said they will continue to investigate any additional accomplices and will provide updates as the case progresses.