Jalpaiguri, Jan. 2: A 26-year-old woman from Dhupguri, who had got married in July last year, allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a speeding train today, hours before a kangaroo court was supposed to discuss her demand for a divorce.

The woman's family has lodged a police complaint against her husband and in-laws. The husband and his mother have been detained.

Joymoni Roy, a resident of Bhemtia village in Dhupguri block, 40km from here, had married Rabi Roy, from Bhandani village in Mekhliganj block of Cooch Behar, on July 7.

'We gave some cash, furniture and ornaments as dowry. After a couple of months, my daughter started coming to our home and staying for about a fortnight. After another four months or so, we came to know that Rabi had some physical problems,' Haren, Joymoni's father, said today. 'We took up the matter with Rabi's family and also spoke to him. He did not agree to go for a treatment. This left my daughter depressed. After few days, she decided to get a divorce and returned to our house,' said the Haren, a farmer.

Then, both the families sat together and it was decided that a kangaroo court would be held at Haren's village to discuss and decide on the divorce.

'Joymoni's husband had said she had asked for Rs 3 lakh as compensation. He said he could pay only a portion of the amount. She apparently insisted on the entire compensation and the kangaroo court was convened to discuss the matter,' one of Haren's neighbours said.

The kangaroo court was supposed to be held yesterday but for some reason, it could not be held.

'It was decided the meeting would be held this afternoon to decide on the compensation. Joymoni's husband and mother-in-law came to Dhupguri yesterday. But Joymoni, a homemaker, was suffering from depression,' Narendra Nath Roy, one of her uncles, said. 'This morning, her parents could not find Joymoni. We started looking for her and soon we got information that her body had been found near tracks. It seems she could no longer take the stress and committed suicide. Her in-laws forced her to take such a step. We want appropriate punishment for her husband and mother-in-law,' he added.

Rabi, a farmer, who has been detained along with his mother Giribala denied the allegations. 'I am under treatment for the past four-five months and it is wrong to say I did not listen to her. But she insisted on a divorce and asked for Rs 3 lakh. I expressed my inability but agreed to pay some money. We came to Dhupguri to attend the meeting. I am also under stress and there is no question of provoking her to commit suicide. She would stay with her parents often and we never stopped her. We have no idea why she took such a step.'

Dhupguri police and Mainaguri GRP said they were investigating the case. 'We have got a complaint from the woman's father. The husband and his mother have been detained,' Jugal Chandra Biswas, the inspector in-charge of Dhupguri police station, said.