In a shocking case of alleged dowry harassment, a 27-year-old woman, Rithanya from Avinashi Kaikatti Puthur in Tiruppur district, died by suicide just 78 days after her marriage. Her husband Kavin Kumar (28), along with his parents, Eeswaramoorthy and Chitradevi, have been arrested by police after a preliminary investigation into voice notes sent by the deceased to her father revealed repeated harassment and abuse.
Rithanya, who married Kavin Kumar on 11 April 2025, in a lavish ceremony, was found dead inside her car on 28 June 2025 near Chettiputhur in Mondipalayam. According to police, she had consumed sulphur-based pesticide, typically used on coconut plantations. Her body was recovered by Cheyur/Sevur Police and sent for post-mortem.
Prior to her death, Rithanya recorded and sent seven voice messages to her father, Annadurai who is a garment manufacturer, detailing the abuse she had been facing. In the audio recordings, she named her husband, father-in-law, and mother-in-law as responsible for the daily physical and mental torture. She expressed emotional distress over the continuing dowry demands and stated that she could no longer endure the pain.
Dowry Demands And Alleged Abuse
The marriage was allegedly arranged with the promise of substantial dowry—500 sovereigns of gold and a ₹70 lakh Volvo car. Of this, Rithanya’s family had already provided the car and around 300 sovereigns of gold. However, according to her father, her in-laws continuously harassed her for the remaining 200 sovereigns and even allegedly demanded ₹100 crore from the family to fund a business venture.
In the voice messages, Rithanya said, “You and mom are my world. The dreams that you had for me never happened. You are very hurt because of me. I am suffering because you cannot express your pain, I cannot bear it, please forgive me, Dad, I am leaving. I am sorry dad, everything is over.” She further detailed the psychological abuse inflicted on her, including restrictions on her movements inside the house, prohibitions on entering the puja room, lighting lamps, or participating in regular household activities.
Rithanya also described physical violence at the hands of her husband, and persistent emotional manipulation by her in-laws. Despite returning to her parental home multiple times after her marriage, she was sent back in the hope of reconciliation, based on assurances from her husband’s family.
Political Connections And Public Outcry
Kavin Kumar is the grandson of Krishnan, the Tiruppur District Congress Committee President. The political background of the accused family has intensified public scrutiny and calls for strict action.
After Rithanya’s death, her relatives and community members staged a protest at Avinashi Sathy Road, demanding immediate arrest of the accused. Tensions flared outside the hospital during the post-mortem, when Rithanya’s family confronted the accused. Police intervened to prevent violence and detained the husband and his parents.
Avinashi Deputy Superintendent of Police Sivakumar assured the agitating relatives that appropriate legal action would be taken. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges relating to dowry harassment and abetment of suicide.
Father’s Statement
Rithanya’s father Annadurai, devastated by his daughter’s death, said that he had initially advised her to “adjust” and return to her husband, not realizing the extent of the abuse. “She came back 15 days after the marriage saying they were harassing her. I didn’t know how bad it was. Later, they started demanding ₹100 crore,” he said.
He further stated that his daughter revealed the location of her gold jewellery and savings in her final voice messages, urging the family not to remain silent and not to “bow their heads.”
Police sources confirm that the three accused remain in custody and are being interrogated. Authorities are also examining the financial transactions related to the dowry demands, and forensic analysis of the audio messages has been initiated as part of the case evidence.
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu, highlighting once again the persistent social evil of dowry and the continued vulnerability of women—even among educated and affluent families.
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