This is a popular case from Orissa where on 26-year-old Tapaswini claimed that she married Dr Sumit Sahu at a court on September 7, 2020. After marriage, she lived at Sumit’s home as his wife for six months. However, she claims that her in-laws drove her own of their home, on the pretext of conducting their marriage as per vedic tradition. She was allegedly asked to go to her parents’ place and stay there till her marriage with Sumit was solemnised.

On Nov 22, she came dressed as a bride and sat outside the house of Sumit in Brahmanagar locality of Berhampur demanding to be allowed to live in the house with him . Since then, she accompanied by some social activists has been spending days and nights (44days) outside her in-law’s house.

The court then directed the couple to bury the hatchet within seven days and make up mind to start a happy conjugal life.

While the government had been directed to bear the cost of their stay in the rented accommodation, the court asked Sumit to bear the entire cost of his wife’s food and other expenses.

During their stay, the court ordered that no one would interfere or try to meet the couple.

As Sumit did not appear for court hearing, Tapaswini alleged that he was absconding and not answering anyone’s calls. She lodged a missing complaint at Aska police station alleging that Sumit had fled from the guest house, where they were staying temporarily, after completion of the Court ordered seven-day stay.

Once again, Tapaswini sat down in a tent in front of her in-laws’ house at Brahmanagar. This time around, she said she would not budge till justice was delivered to her. Tapaswini along with some women activists also barged into Dr Sumit’s home.

Few days later, Sumit opened up about it and released a audio message, saying “I am not absconding, neither have I been kidnapped. I am alone and taking rest. My higher-ups in office know about it. Allegations of kidnapping by my father is baseless and a lie.
The seven-day stay in a house did not do any good to our relationship. However, as per the court’s order, despite being unwell, I am searching for a house to stay together with her.
She is doing all these only to be in the limelight. She is getting publicity and sympathy from the people by portraying me and my family as evil. I have informed the Court all the sufferings that I and my family had to undergo because of her.

Tapaswini has been telling lies. We have not taken or demanded a single rupee from them. I have the proof. The matter will be decided in court. She was always interested in money.”

On 2nd Feb, 2022, the high court orders Sumit to pay Rs.17000 per month to Tapaswini Dash to meet her monthly expenses by the 10th of every month.

However, the district and Sessions court of Ganjam ordered that Tapaswini Dash will stay with her husband, Dr Sumit Sahu, in her in-laws’ place in Bramhanagar.

After that, Sumit’s family had filed an appeal assuring arrangements of Tapaswini’s stay elsewhere and reduction of the maintenance amount.

Now, in a fresh ruling, Orissa High court lowered the monthly maintenance amount from Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 10,000.