A woman was found dead in her matrimonial home in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on May 12, another died after falling from the balcony of her three-storey marital residence in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on May 17, and another suspected suicide – a newly married 21-year-old – was reported from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
Three separate cases of young married women dying in disturbing circumstances within days of each other have raised fresh concern about allegations of harassment and abuse women face after marriage, and police investigations are currently underway in each case.
Latest incident from Gwalior MP
The latest incident was reported in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, where a 21-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide, while her family accused her in-laws of harassing her over their demand for dowry and claimed that she was murdered, news agency ANI reported quoting a police official on Wednesday.
City Superintendent of Police (SP) Atul Kumar Soni said that the deceased was a resident of Suraiyapura within the limits of Morar police station in Gwalior. She married on April 14, 2025, and allegedly died by hanging herself at her in-laws’ house on May 12.
According to the police, she was initially admitted to Morar Hospital after the incident. However, on the request of her family members, she was later shifted to Birla Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. A post-mortem examination was later conducted, the Italian news agency reported.
“This incident occurred on May 12, and on receiving information, police teams were immediately dispatched to the spot. The woman was initially admitted to Morar Hospital; however, her family requested that she be shifted to Birla Hospital, where she was later declared brought dead. A post-mortem was conducted on the body thereafter,” SP Soni was quoted as saying.
Strydhan allegations.
The police officer said that based on the statements given by the family members of the deceased, allegations emerged accusing her in-laws of constantly demanding a car, detaining her ‘stridhan’ (a woman’s personal property or wealth), and subjecting her to constant harassment through taunts.
The police officer added that a case will be registered against the in-laws.
“A case will be filed against the in-laws based on the MLC report, recorded statements and evidence collected from the crime scene,” he said.
SP Soni also said that the woman’s family alleged that her in-laws started taunting her and demanding a car within three to four months of marriage, causing her severe distress.
“The marriage took place one year ago and it is alleged that within just 3 to 4 months of the wedding, the in-laws started taunting the deceased and demanding a car – behavior which caused her great distress and which she frequently discussed with her family members. Action will be taken accordingly,” the police officer said.
He added, “The matter is currently under preliminary investigation, and once the reports are received, an official case will be registered, including the relevant legal sections, based on the statements provided by the family members.”
The 21-year-old’s family is speaking out
The woman’s father alleged that his daughter was repeatedly harassed by her in-laws over her demand for dowry.
“My daughter told me that her in-laws were demanding a car. I would talk to them again and again, but after a few days, they would go back to their old ways – physically abusing her and making fun of her,” Annie was quoted as saying.
He added, “The police have announced that they are conducting an investigation. The strictest possible measures must be taken against them, as nothing like this should happen to anyone else’s daughter again. Her father-in-law is a government employee.”
A pattern of incidents is under investigation
The incident in Gwalior comes amid increasing reports of alleged cases of harassment involving young women and newly married women, adding to the string of tragedies that have occurred in the exact same time frame.
Earlier this month, a woman from Noida in Uttar Pradesh, who married a resident of MP Bhopal in December 2025, allegedly died by suicide on May 14. Her family alleged that she was subjected to mental torture and dowry harassment by her in-laws.
The police registered a case against her husband and mother-in-law, a retired judge, and formed a special investigation team to investigate the matter.
In another case, a young woman died under suspicious circumstances after she allegedly fell from the roof of her in-laws’ house in Jalpura village in Greater Noida, just a year and a half after her marriage.
The police arrested her husband and father-in-law under relevant legal provisions after her family alleged that she was being subjected to constant harassment over her dowry demands.
Her autopsy indicated that she had been tortured, and the report mentioned shocking results such as brain bleeding and ruptured organs.
Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides can be prevented. If you need support or know someone who does, please contact your nearest mental health professional.
Helplines: Al-Asra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha Foundation India: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact Numbers: 040-66202001, 040-66202000; One Life: Contact Number: 78930 78930, Seva: Contact Number: 09441778290
