Newlywed Dies by Suicide Amid Dowry Abuse Allegations in Tamil Nadu
Newlywed Dies by Suicide Amid Dowry Abuse Allegations in Tamil Nadu
Tiruppur, India – A 27-year-old newlywed, Ridhanya, tragically died by suicide on June 29, 2025, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. Her death has sparked outrage and protests, with her family alleging she endured severe mental and physical harassment over dowry demands from her husband and in-laws.
Ridhanya married Kavin Kumar, a garment business owner and politician, on April 11, 2022. Her family stated they provided a substantial dowry, including 300 sovereigns of gold, a Volvo car valued at ₹70 lakh, and bore the ₹2.5 crore cost of the wedding. They had also pledged an additional 200 sovereigns of gold after the marriage.
Despite the significant dowry already provided, harassment reportedly began just ten days after the wedding. Ridhanya was allegedly tormented by her husband, Kavin Kumar; father-in-law, Easwaramoorthy; and mother-in-law, Chithradevi, to secure the remaining 200 sovereigns of gold.
On Saturday afternoon, after visiting the Thalakkarai Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Temple, Ridhanya purchased pesticide from Seyur. She then drove to the Mondipalayam Perumal Temple, where she ingested the substance inside her parked car. Locals discovered her and alerted the police, who rushed her to Avinashi Government Hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.
Voice Note Implicates Family, Arrests Made
Before her death, Ridhanya sent an emotional voice note to her father via WhatsApp, explicitly accusing her husband and in-laws of the abuse. In the message, she detailed the pain and trauma she had suffered, mentioning that Kavin Kumar had threatened to commit suicide if she spoke about the abuse.
Ridhanya’s death has led to widespread public outcry. Her family staged protests outside the hospital and organized a road blockade, demanding justice. A subsequent inquiry by the Tiruppur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) led to the police registering a case of abetment to suicide against Kavin Kumar, Easwaramoorthy, and Chithradevi. All three have been arrested and remanded into custody.
