Bengaluru: In two shocking cases of alleged dowry harassment leading to suicides, police in Bengaluru have booked and arrested family members after two young women died within days of each other.
Bagalagunte woman dies by suicide
Police said N Poojashri (28), a native of Bhadravati in Shivamogga district, died by suicide on Sunday at her residence in Bagalagunte, north-west Bengaluru. She was married to J Nandish, an employee of a private company, three years ago and is survived by him and their two-year-old daughter.
Investigators revealed that Poojashri had repeatedly complained of harassment by her husband and mother-in-law, including demands for dowry. She had also alleged that Nandish assaulted her when she confronted him about his relationship with another woman.
According to police, Poojashri hanged herself at her residence while her husband and daughter were out. Following a complaint by her mother, B Chandrakala, police arrested Nandish. His mother Shantamma and three others have also been booked under charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide.
Techie’s death in BTM Layout
Earlier in the week, a separate case shocked the city when P Shilpa (27), a pregnant software engineer, was found hanging at her house in BTM Layout I Stage late on Tuesday night.
Police said no death note was found at the residence. Shilpa is survived by her parents, two sisters, and her young son. Her mother, B Sharada, lodged a complaint at Suddaguntepalya police station accusing Shilpa’s husband, Praveen, and mother-in-law, Shantavva, of subjecting her to continuous dowry harassment and mental torture.
Praveen, who previously worked at a reputed IT firm in Whitefield, had lost his job last year and has since been running a pani-puri stall in BTM Layout. Police detained both Praveen and Shantavva for questioning and registered a case under IPC sections related to dowry death and abetment to suicide.
Rising concerns over dowry deaths
Both cases have reignited concerns over the persistent issue of dowry-related violence in Karnataka, especially in urban areas like Bengaluru where women, despite higher education and employment, continue to face harassment within marriages.
Activists have urged stricter enforcement of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and greater awareness campaigns to address what they call “a silent crisis” still claiming young lives.
Police said investigations in both cases are ongoing, and chargesheets will be filed once statements from family members, neighbours, and forensic reports are collected.
