Video Credit: The New Indian Express
– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu: A 27-year-old newlywed woman from Tiruppur district died by suicide on June 28, allegedly after facing weeks of dowry-related harassment. The incident has ignited widespread public outrage, especially after a series of heart-breaking audio messages she sent to her father went viral across Tamil Nadu.
The deceased, Ridhanya, was married to Kavin Kumar (28) on April 11, 2025. Her family claims that the wedding was solemnised only after they gave over 100 sovereigns of gold (800 grams) and a Volvo car worth ₹70 lakh as dowry (India Today). Despite this, her in-laws allegedly began demanding more – up to 500 sovereigns – and subjected her to escalating abuse.
“She was made to stand for hours, denied food, locked in rooms, and constantly threatened,” her father told The Indian Express. “We thought marriage would bring her happiness, but it turned into her greatest suffering.”
Ridhanya briefly returned to her parental home but was later persuaded to go back. On June 28, she left the house, saying she was going to a temple. Instead, she drove to Mondipalayam, parked her car, and consumed sulphas pesticide, a toxic substance often used in suicides in rural India (The News Minute).
Before collapsing, she recorded and sent seven voice messages via WhatsApp to her father. In one of them, she said:
“Appa, I’m sorry. I thought I could bear it. But they are not people – they are criminals. I cannot live like this anymore.”
Passers-by found her unconscious and rushed her to Avinashi Government Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Arrests and Investigation
In response to public protests and mounting media pressure, the Sevur Police arrested her husband Kavin Kumar, father-in-law Eswaramoorthy, and mother-in-law Chithradevi on charges of abetment to suicide, criminal intimidation, and dowry harassment, under Sections 498A and 304B of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (Hindustan Times).
A Revenue Divisional Officer has also launched an inquiry into the material and monetary exchanges made at the time of the marriage.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Though dowry has been outlawed since 1961, India continues to report an average of 6,500 dowry deaths annually, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (The News Minute). Tamil Nadu alone registered 29 such cases in 2022 (The CSR Journal).
“This isn’t just about gold or a luxury car,” said Priya Rajan, a Chennai-based advocate for women’s rights. “Even wealth can’t protect a woman when entitlement becomes abuse. Ridhanya’s final voice notes – full of apology and despair – must shake this nation awake” (The Indian Express).
Rights groups are now calling for fast-track courts, greater police accountability, and district-level complaint redressal cells for women facing domestic abuse.
Public Outcry and Social Response
Ridhanya’s death has resonated deeply across India. Despite her family’s financial security, she could not escape the social evil of dowry. Her story has become a painful symbol of the normalisation of abuse across class lines.
Social media has seen an outpouring of grief and anger. Hashtags like #JusticeForRidhanya and #EndDowryDeaths are trending nationwide. From activists to celebrities, voices across the spectrum are demanding justice and reform.
Local NGOs are urging not just legal action, but community-level awareness and education. “We cannot wait for another daughter to send her last message from a car seat,” one activist said.
A Broader Crisis
This is not an isolated incident. Dowry-related deaths remain a systemic problem in India, driven by patriarchal norms, poor legal enforcement, and deep-rooted greed.
As Ridhanya was laid to rest in Avinashi, her father broke down in front of reporters:
“All we wanted was for our daughter to be happy. Instead, we are burying her with a heart full of unanswered questions and unbearable grief.”
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence or emotional distress, please contact a helpline or seek help from local mental health professionals. Support is available.
