Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh: In a heart-wrenching incident, a 28-year-old woman named Manisha died by suicide after allegedly enduring prolonged dowry-related harassment from her husband and in-laws. The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday night when Manisha consumed poison at her maternal home.
In a chilling act of desperation, she used a pen to write a suicide note across her arms, legs, and stomach, naming her husband, Kundan, and his family as the cause of her death. “Kundan and his family are responsible for my death,” she wrote in Hindi.
The police have also recovered a video message recorded by Manisha before her death. In it, she can be seen crying and detailing the abuse and pressure for dowry, including demands for a car and a large cash sum. Her family had already spent ₹20 lakh on the wedding and given a Bullet motorcycle as dowry.
According to her statement, she faced physical violence, was forced to undergo an abortion, and even survived an attempted electrocution when she refused to meet their demands.
Manisha married Kundan, a Noida resident, in 2023. Within months, the in-laws allegedly began coercing her for additional dowry. After months of mental torment, she returned to her parental home in July 2024. Her family had started discussing divorce, but Manisha had insisted on reclaiming her dowry items first.
The case has sparked outrage, once again highlighting the persistent menace of dowry and gender-based violence in India.
