World · India Bureau
KBC contestant reveals survival from dowry violence, decades-long separation from daughter
A contestant on the Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati opened up about surviving an attempted murder by her in-laws in 2002. The woman shared her harrowing account with host Amitabh Bachchan, revealing she has been separated from her daughter for 24 years.
LSN India ·

During an episode of KBC 18, contestant Kapila Taneja recounted a traumatic incident from her past, describing an alleged attack by her husband's family that left her fighting for survival. The revelation prompted an emotional response from veteran host Amitabh Bachchan, who engaged with her account during the programme.
Taneja disclosed that in 2002, members of her husband's household allegedly attempted to set her on fire—a form of violence often linked to dowry disputes in India. She managed to escape the attack but has endured lasting consequences from the incident.
Most significantly, Taneja revealed that she has been separated from her daughter for the past 24 years, a separation she attributed to events surrounding the alleged assault. The lengthy estrangement from her child has defined much of her adult life since the traumatic incident.
The appearance on India's popular quiz show provided Taneja with a platform to publicly share her story. Such accounts highlighting dowry-related violence and family disputes continue to underscore persistent social issues affecting Indian families across the country.