Husband missing, in-laws grab his land, UP woman crawls to DM office in protest

A woman in UP's Hamirpur reached the collectorate lying on the ground to seek justice, alleging that her brothers-in-law encroached on her missing husband's share of six bighas of land.A woman in UP’s Hamirpur reached the collectorate lying on the ground to seek justiceHamirpur,Oct 28, 2026 21:12 ISTA woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district reached the collectorate lying on the ground to seek justice over an alleged land grab by her brothers-in-law following her husband’s disappearance about a year ago. Her unusual form of protest triggered a stir among officials and people at the premises.The woman, identified as Devarti, wife of Kailash Chandra, approached District Magistrate Ashok Kumar and appealed for the return of her husband’s share of land and a house where she could live with her children. She also sought support to sustain her family.Devarti had married Kailash Chandra in the Maudaha tehsil area. After her husband developed a mental illness, she moved to her parental home with him and their children.Kailash Chandra went missing about a year ago. Despite extensive efforts to trace him, the family could not find him. Devarti alleged that after his disappearance, her brothers-in-law, including her husband's younger and elder brothers, took possession of the land belonging to his share. She said she had approached the Maudaha Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the Muskara police station several times to complain about the encroachment on six bighas of land. However, she claimed that she had yet to receive justice.The woman said she was responsible for supporting her 20-year-old daughter, Gudiya, and her 18-year-old son, Akash. With no other means to meet the family's expenses, she has been forced to work as a daily-wage labourer. Seeking relief, Devarti urged the district magistrate to help her secure a house in the village and her missing husband's share of the land so she could provide for her children.Collectorate staff members noticed Devarti lying on the ground as she arrived to submit her grievance. They intervened, spoke to her and helped her meet the district magistrate.After hearing her complaint, District Magistrate Ashok Kumar directed Maudaha SDM Karanveer Singh to visit the spot, resolve the matter and ensure that the woman receives justice.- Ends