Tirupur, Tamilnadu | July 1, 2025 : In a deeply tragic incident from Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, a 27-year-old woman named Ridhanya died by suicide on Sunday after enduring continuous harassment from her husband and in-laws over dowry. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, once again drawing attention to the lingering menace of dowry-related abuse in India.

Ridhanya had been married for just two months. She tied the knot with Kavin Kumar, 28, in April 2025. According to her family, it was a lavish wedding, and they gave a significant dowry — including a brand-new Volvo car worth ₹70 lakh and over 300 sovereigns of gold jewelry. Despite this, her in-laws allegedly continued to make excessive demands and subjected her to emotional and physical abuse.

On Sunday, Ridhanya left her home under the pretense of visiting a temple. She never returned. Hours later, local residents noticed a car parked along the roadside for an unusually long time. Upon checking, they discovered Ridhanya unconscious inside. Emergency services arrived shortly after, but she was declared dead on the spot. She had consumed pesticide tablets, likely while sitting inside the vehicle.

Before taking this extreme step, Ridhanya had sent a series of heartbreaking WhatsApp voice messages to her father. In those messages, she repeatedly apologized to her family and expressed how she could no longer cope with the torture and humiliation she was facing every day. Her voice reportedly trembled with pain and helplessness, painting a picture of a young woman pushed to the edge by cruelty masked as marriage.

Her devastated family rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news. Emotions ran high when the accused in-laws also arrived to see her body, leading to near confrontation between both families. The grieving family staged a brief protest at the hospital premises, demanding justice for their daughter and quick action against the accused.

Tirupur police immediately took action. Kavin Kumar, along with his father Eswaramurthy and mother Chithradevi, were arrested on charges of abetment to suicide and cruelty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Dowry Prohibition Act. Initial investigations confirm that Ridhanya had been subjected to mental and physical abuse from shortly after her wedding, despite the dowry already given.

This case has reignited public outrage over the still-prevalent practice of dowry in India. Despite strict laws banning dowry and penalizing abuse related to it, many young women continue to suffer in silence. Activists and women's rights groups have called for swift legal action and stronger community awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Ridhanya’s death is a painful reminder that behind grand weddings and expensive gifts, many women still face deep emotional suffering and societal pressure. Her story has sparked a conversation not just about dowry but also about the lack of emotional support and legal awareness among young brides.

The case continues to be investigated. Authorities are gathering further evidence, including the voice messages and testimonies from family members, to build a solid case against those responsible. Meanwhile, Ridhanya’s story remains etched in the minds of many as yet another victim of a system that needs urgent change.