Bengaluru: In yet another shocking case of alleged dowry harassment, a 27-year-old woman was found hanging at her residence in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Police have arrested her husband for allegedly abetting her suicide.

Victim identified as former IT professional

The deceased has been identified as Shilpa, who had previously worked with IT giant Infosys. She had been married to Praveen, a former software professional, for about two-and-a-half years. The couple has a one-and-a-half-year-old child, and Shilpa was pregnant again at the time of her death.

According to police, Praveen has been taken into custody, while investigations into the circumstances of Shilpa’s death are ongoing.

Allegations of repeated dowry demands

In their complaint, Shilpa’s parents alleged that persistent dowry harassment from her husband and in-laws drove her to take the extreme step.

Before the wedding, Praveen’s family allegedly demanded ₹15 lakh in cash, 150 grams of gold jewellery and household articles. Despite fulfilling these demands, Shilpa’s family claimed she was continuously pressured for more money and valuables after marriage.

Her uncle, Chennabasayya, said the family had already made huge financial sacrifices.

“We got her married in a grand way three years ago. We sold our house and spent ₹40 lakh on the wedding. We also gave her 160 grams of gold ornaments at the time of marriage,” he said.

He further alleged that the demands did not stop. “A few months ago, Praveen took another ₹10 lakh from us. Though he claimed to be a B.E., M.Tech graduate, for the past two years he has been selling pani puri,” he added.

Suspicions over circumstances of death

Shilpa’s family members have also raised doubts over the way her death occurred. According to her uncle, the situation inside the house did not appear consistent with suicide.

“Inside the house, there was no chair or any object placed under the fan. The fan itself was not at a height easily reachable to anyone. There were also no signs of the door being broken,” he said.

Police said they are investigating these claims thoroughly. A case has been registered, and forensic reports are awaited.

Broader concerns over dowry deaths

This incident comes close on the heels of another shocking case in Greater Noida, where a 26-year-old woman named Nikki was allegedly set ablaze by her in-laws over dowry demands. Her husband and in-laws are currently in judicial custody as the investigation continues.

Women’s rights groups and activists have repeatedly raised concerns about the rising number of dowry-related deaths despite strict laws. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, makes demanding dowry a punishable offence, while Section 304B of the IPC specifically deals with dowry deaths.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Shilpa highlights once again the grim reality of dowry harassment in India, where social stigma and financial pressures continue to endanger women’s lives. Police have assured that a thorough probe will be conducted, and justice will be sought for the victim.