‘Harassed despite dowry of gold and a Volvo', newlywed bride dies of suicide in Tamil Nadu
The husband and in-laws of a 27-year-old woman have been arrested after she died by suicide in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur, allegedly after facing physical and mental abuse over dowry.
The woman, Ridhanya, daughter of garment manufacturer Annadurai, had married 28-year-old Kavin Kumar in April this year.
The match was allegedly sealed with a promise of 500 sovereigns (about 4 kg) of gold jewellery and a luxury Volvo car worth Rs 70 lakh, police officials said. According to investigators, only 300 sovereigns were handed over during the wedding, and pressure for the remaining 200 grew steadily, allegedly leading to repeated abuse.
On Saturday, Ridhanya left her in-laws' home, saying she was heading to the Mondipalayam temple. Several hours later, police were alerted to a car parked in the area. Inside, they found Ridhanya unresponsive, with foam at her mouth — she had reportedly consumed fumigant pesticide tablets. Her body was sent to the government hospital in Avinashi and handed over to the family on Sunday following a post-mortem.
In a series of seven WhatsApp voice messages sent to her father shortly before her death, Ridhanya detailed what she had faced. She accused her husband and his parents of mentally tormenting her daily, and Kavin of allegedly assaulting her. 'I don't like this life. I'm unable to continue,' she said in one message. 'You and mom are my world. I'm sorry, father — everything is over. I'm leaving.'
According to her father, Annadurai, Ridhanya had returned home just 15 days into her marriage, shaken and distressed. 'I told her to adjust. I didn't understand then how bad it was,' he said. After repeated pleas from Ridhanya, her mother-in-law visited and apologised, but things didn't change. By the time she returned again, Annadurai said, 'She was completely broken.'
He recalled how the family compared their dowry to others, reportedly demanding Rs 100 crore like 'other grooms had received to start businesses'.
'They cheated us,' Annadurai said, urging authorities to ensure no other family suffers as his did.
The Cheyur police have arrested Kavin Kumar and his parents, Eswaramoorthy and Chithradevi, on charges including dowry harassment and abetment of suicide. Further investigation is underway.
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