Tragic End for Bengaluru Techie: Parents Allege Brutal Dowry Harassment Led to Suicide

A pall of grief and outrage hangs over the family of a 30-year-old Bengaluru techie, Aishwarya, who tragically ended her life, prompting her distraught parents to level serious allegations of dowry harassment against her husband and in-laws. The incident, which unfolded in the city’s Jayanagar area, has cast a harsh light once more on the persistent scourge of dowry-related violence in India.

Aishwarya, a bright software engineer, was found dead on February 27, 2024, in her marital home.

Her parents, residents of Mandya, Karnataka, claim that their daughter was subjected to relentless physical and mental torture by her husband, Suraj Gowda, and his family. They accuse Gowda, also a software engineer, and his parents of demanding an exorbitant dowry, including a substantial sum of money, a car, and a luxury apartment, even after the couple had already received significant gifts at their wedding in February 2022.

The family recounts how Aishwarya’s suffering escalated dramatically after her marriage.

"My daughter was constantly being harassed for dowry," her father, Srikanta, tearfully shared with the media. "They demanded Rs 50 lakh, a luxury flat in Mysuru, and a car. We had already given them 1.5 kg of gold, a car, and Rs 10 lakh in cash during the wedding. But their greed knew no bounds." These demands, he explained, were reportedly accompanied by severe beatings and mental abuse that left Aishwarya in constant distress.

Adding another layer to the tragedy, Aishwarya's parents allege that their son-in-law, Suraj Gowda, was involved in an extramarital affair, which further exacerbated their daughter's anguish.

This alleged infidelity, coupled with the relentless dowry demands and abuse, painted a picture of unbearable torment for Aishwarya, ultimately leading her to take the drastic step of ending her life.

A formal complaint has been filed at the Jayanagar Police Station by Aishwarya's parents, implicating Suraj Gowda and his parents, Chandrakanth and Kavitha, under Sections 304B (dowry death) and 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Bengaluru police have initiated a thorough investigation into the matter, promising to uncover the truth behind these grave allegations.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dowry, an illegal but deeply entrenched practice that continues to claim lives and shatter families across the nation.

As Aishwarya’s family seeks justice, their pain resonates with countless others who have suffered silently under the shadow of greed and cruelty. The community now awaits the outcome of the police investigation, hoping that justice will be swiftly served for Aishwarya.