At least four police personnel have been injured following a clash with locals in Ramgopalpur Municipality of Mahottari district on Thursday afternoon.

The protest started after Neha Chaudhary, who has accused Pankaj Chaudhary, her husband of physical and mental abuse for not bringing enough dowry, was forced to stay outside her house after her in-laws allegedly padlocked the main entrance. 

Two police personnel of the Armed Police Force, one of Nepal Police and one of City Police were injured after the protesters hurled stones at the security personnel.

Police lobbed five shells of teargas canisters to take the situation under control.

Superintendent of Police, Krishna Pangeni, chief of Mahottari district police office, said they have detained Chaudhary and Niharika Rajput, who led the protest to take the situation under control.

The demonstration started after Pankaj's family fled the house padlocking the main entrance.

Police on Wednesday arrested Pankaj, a permanent resident of Ramgopalpur Municipality-5 in Mahottari district, on charges of domestic violence and dowry.

Neha filed a complaint against Pankaj at the Mahottari District Court a week ago. The court on Monday issued an order against Pankaj’s family not to incur any physical, mental, or psychological torture on Neha and protect her at home. The court said that it issued the order as Neha’s protection was a must for the investigation into the case.

The court on Wednesday remanded Pankaj into custody for investigation.

Pankaj and Neha married nine months ago after being in a relationship for about two years. A month ago, Neha took to social media to claim that she had been a victim of domestic violence. She posted some photos of her injuries online.

Neha’s family has claimed that Pankaj and his family repeatedly tortured her for not bringing enough dowries. Suresh Chaudhary, Neha’s father, said that they spent around Rs15 million on the wedding function and on dowries.

Pankaj, an MBBS doctor, worked at Grande International Hospital and Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu while Neha had been studying in the national capital. Pankaj’s family allegedly forced Neha to quit her studies after engagement.