A 27-year-old woman named Ridhanya died by suicide in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, after allegedly suffering continuous torture over dowry from her husband and in-laws. The police have arrested her husband and his parents. The incident has shocked the local community and led to strong demands for justice from her family.
Ridhanya was the daughter of Annadurai, who runs a garment business. She got married just a few months ago, in April this year, to Kavin Kumar, a 28-year-old man. Reports say that her family gave a dowry of 100 sovereigns of gold jewellery (800 grams) and a Volvo car worth Rs 70 lakh at the time of the marriage.
"They are assaulting me mentally... he is torturing me physically."
On Sunday, Ridhanya told her family that she was going to visit a temple in Mondipalayam. However, while on the way, she reportedly stopped her car and consumed pesticide tablets. Locals noticed the car parked in the same spot for a long time and informed the police. When the police arrived, they found Ridhanya dead inside the vehicle, with foam at her mouth—a common sign of poison consumption.
Before taking this extreme step, Ridhanya reportedly sent seven audio messages on WhatsApp to her father. In the messages, she apologised to him and explained the pain she was facing in her married life.
In one of the messages, she said, “I’m unable to bear their mental torture daily. I don’t know whom to tell about this. Those who listen want me to compromise, claiming life will be like this only, and are not able to understand my suffering.”
She added, “Everyone around me is acting, and I don’t understand why I’m silent or become like this.”
She also clearly said, “This time I did not make any mistake. I don’t like this life. They are assaulting me mentally while he is torturing me physically.”
Family demands justice as police investigate further
In her final message, she told her father, “You and Mom are my world. Until my last breath, you have been my hope, but I hurt you badly… I’m sorry, Father, everything is over. I’m leaving.”
After her death, Ridhanya’s body was taken to the District Government Hospital for post-mortem. Many relatives gathered outside the hospital, demanding strict action and justice for Ridhanya.
The police have registered a case and arrested Kavin Kumar (husband), Eswaramoorthy (father-in-law), and Chithradevi (mother-in-law). They are now investigating the matter further.