In a tragic case of dowry harassment from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district, a 27-year-old woman, Rithanya, ended her life by consuming poison after enduring severe physical and mental abuse from her husband and in-laws.
The newlywed, daughter of Annadurai, a garment business owner and former political candidate, was married to Kavin Kumar (28) on April 11, 2025, in a grand ceremony. The family had given a lavish dowry of 300 sovereigns of gold, a ₹70 lakh Volvo car, and spent ₹2.5 crore on the wedding, with a promise to give an additional 200 sovereigns.
Despite the extravagant dowry, harassment began just 10 days after the wedding. Rithanya was subjected to relentless torture by her husband, Kavin Kumar, father-in-law Easwaramoorthy, and mother-in-law Aww Chithradevi, who demanded the remaining 200 sovereigns. The abuse escalated to the extent of humiliating her over minor issues, forcing her to stand for hours for trivial reasons, among other acts of cruelty. On Saturday afternoon, after visiting the Thalakkarai Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Temple, she purchased pesticide from Seyur and, while en route to the Mondipalayam Perumal Temple, consumed it inside her car parked by the roadside. Locals spotted her unconscious and alerted the police, who rushed her to Avinashi Government Hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.
Before taking her life, Rithanya recorded a heart-wrenching WhatsApp voice message to her father, holding her husband and in-laws directly responsible. She explained the unbearable suffering she faced, specifically mentioning that Kavin Kumar threatened to kill himself if she exposed his abuse. Her death sparked public outrage, with her family staging a protest at the hospital and a road blockade, demanding immediate action.
Following an inquiry by the Tiruppur RDO, the police registered a case of abetment to suicide and arrested Kavin Kumar, Easwaramoorthy, and Chithradevi, who have since been remanded to judicial custody. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, with the viral audio message further intensifying public anger and calls for justice.
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