SRINAGAR: A 26-year-old lecturer died by suicide after jumping into the M Visvesvaraya Dam, also known as the Ghati Dam, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, allegedly following sustained harassment by her husband and in-laws, The Indian Express reports.
The deceased, identified as Pushpavathi, had recorded an eight-minute video before taking the extreme step, accusing her husband’s family of abuse and dowry-related harassment.
Police, according to Times of India report, said Pushpavathi had been missing for two days before her body was recovered on Monday morning within the Doddaballapur Women’s Police Station limits. A missing person’s report had been filed by her brother on Sunday.
According to investigators, the victim had married Venu, a resident of Tapasihalli, around 11 months ago and was employed as a lecturer at a private college. In the video, she alleged that her husband had been avoiding her and verbally abusing her despite repeated efforts to mend their relationship.
She further claimed that her in-laws had demanded dowry and property, and even suggested she sleep with her brother-in-law if she wanted a child. The video also detailed repeated instances of physical and mental harassment, including being assaulted, dragged, and thrown out of her marital home. When her brother tried to intervene, he too was allegedly beaten by her husband’s family.
Police said that about 15 days ago, Pushpavathi was physically attacked and warned not to approach the authorities. Following her death, a case has been registered under Section 80 (dowry death) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against her husband Venu, father-in-law Govindappa, mother-in-law Bharathi, and brother-in-law Narayanaswamy.
Venu and Govindappa have been detained and are being questioned, while further investigation is under way, police further added.
