'Can't Bear Torture': In Last Message, Tamil Nadu Woman Called In-laws 'Criminals' Before Suicide

News18

3 days ago

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Rithanya also accused her in-laws of mental torture and alleged she was physically assaulted by her husband Kavin
'I can't live with him," said Rithanya, a 27-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu, in one of seven voice notes that she had sent to her father before death by suicide.
The woman ended her life by consuming poison o n June 28, alleging that she was subjected to severe physical and mental abuse from her husband and in-laws over dowry.
The case of harassment over dowry came to light after Rithanya's body was found in her car on a road in Tiruppur district. She tied the knot with Kavin Kumar (27) in April this year.
After Rithanya's death, Rithanya's father, RG Annadurai (53), filed a police complaint that led to the arrest of Kavin Kumar (27) and his mother Chithradevi (47).
In her messages, Rithanya said she does not want to live with his husband. 'He and his family are criminals. They planned to destroy my life," she said in one recording, adding that she cannot marry again, The News Minute reported.
Rithanya also accused her in-laws of mental torture and alleged she was physically assaulted by Kavin. 'I cannot bear the mental torture that they are giving me, nor can I be with him physically," she said.
'I'm not lying to you, Dad. This is the truth," she added.
Rithanya, a newlywed and daughter of Annadurai—a garment businessman and former political candidate —was married to 28-year-old Kavin Kumar on April 11, 2025, in a lavish ceremony. The wedding involved a hefty dowry that included 300 sovereigns of gold, a Volvo car worth Rs 70 lakh, and expenses amounting to Rs 2.5 crore. Additionally, there was an assurance of another 200 sovereigns of gold to be given later.
However, within just ten days of marriage, the situation turned grim. Rithanya began facing severe harassment from her husband Kavin Kumar, father-in-law Easwaramoorthy, and mother-in-law Chithradevi, all of whom pressured her over the promised remaining dowry. The abuse was not just verbal but included acts of cruelty, such as making her stand for hours over trivial matters.
On Saturday afternoon, after a visit to the Thalakkarai Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Temple, Rithanya reportedly bought pesticide from Seyur. While on her way to the Mondipalayam Perumal Temple, she consumed the substance inside her car parked along the roadside. Passersby noticed her unconscious and informed the police. She was taken to the Avinashi Government Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
Suicide Prevention: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
First Published:
June 30, 2025, 21:36 IST