Young Mother and Toddler Rescued After Being Locked in Dark Room for 10 Days in West Godavari

West Godavari (Andhra Pradesh): In a shocking case of abuse and confinement, a 25-year-old woman and her toddler son were rescued after allegedly being held captive for ten days by her in-laws in a dark room—without food, water, electricity, or even access to a toilet.

According to police reports, the woman’s ordeal began after she refused to comply with a disturbing demand from her brother-in-law. Married to one Ranjith two years ago, the woman had been facing mounting harassment from her husband’s family, who reportedly pressured her to “keep Praveen happy” — the brother-in-law — in a bizarre attempt to ensure he could have a male child.

Sources said Praveen had been married for nearly eight years but had no son, which allegedly prompted the family’s coercive and inhumane behavior. When the woman firmly rejected their demands, the harassment turned violent.

She and her young son were locked inside a dark room in the family home, deprived of basic necessities for ten days. They were denied food, water, and electricity, and she was not allowed to use a bathroom.

The situation came to light after the State Human Rights Commission intervened, following a complaint. Acting on its direction, the police raided the residence and rescued the mother and child from captivity.

Authorities have since taken the woman’s father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law into custody. An investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the abuse and to ensure justice for the survivor.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, raising serious concerns about the persistence of gender-based violence and the need for stronger enforcement of women’s rights in domestic settings.