Indian woman 'beaten with hockey sticks by in-laws over dowry demands'

Footage shows her screaming and desperately trying to protect herself as she is hit by two men

Video has been shared widely on social media of an Indian woman allegedly being beaten by her in-laws over a dowry dispute.

Local media identified the victim as Meena Kashyap and some reports said she had been beaten after giving birth to a girl who her husband's family refused to accept.

The 35-year-old from Patiala, Punjab, was attacked as part of the dispute over her dowry of 700,000 (£8,300) rupees given by her parents to her husband's family, the Hindustan Times reports.

Footage shows her screaming and desperately trying to protect herself as she is hit with what appear to be hockey sticks by two men, believed to be her brother-in-law and his friend.

Her husband's family had apparently found out she had previously made complains about them treating her with violence.

Police are currently investigating and charges of trespass and "voluntary causing hurt" have been brought against her husband, Daljit Singh, his brother Kamaljeet, and a friend named only as Gaurav.

Her father told India's ANI news agency: "We had complained about the issue last year itself but nothing was being done regarding that.

"They have been married for the past two years now and have a girl child. Their family asked for 700,000 rupees for dowry."

Dowries are techincally illegal in India to prevent women being attacked, harassed or even murdered for refusing to pay dowries, but the practice continues.