Dehradun Teacher Dies by Suicide, Records Video Alleging Harassment by In-Laws
Srishti Kandhari, a 28-year-old government teacher in Dehradun, died by suicide on Wednesday. In a video recorded before her death, she alleged that her husband and in-laws had been calling her 'cursed' and blaming her for misfortunes since her marriage eight months ago.
Kandhari married Saurabh Raturi, a government employee, in November last year. The couple lived in the Doiwala area. According to a police complaint filed by Kandhari's mother, her daughter faced mental and physical harassment over dowry and was repeatedly labelled 'unlucky' and 'inauspicious' by her husband and his family.
A 90-second video, which has since gone viral, shows Kandhari crying and apologising to her mother. 'Sorry, mummy, I am leaving like this,' she says. 'Everything has become so strange. I have been enduring this for six months... Now I can't endure it anymore. Their mindset can never change. They keep blaming me for things that happened after our marriage. (Calling me) manhoos, manhoos (cursed).'
The Doiwala police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Kandhari's husband Saurabh Raturi, mother-in-law Parvina, and sister-in-law Charu under sections related to dowry death. Circle Officer Vandana Verma confirmed that a post-mortem examination has been conducted and forensic teams inspected the scene.
'We received information that a woman had died by suicide by hanging herself. A police team and an FSL team conducted an inspection. The woman's mother has alleged harassment by her in-laws,' Verma said. She added that both Kandhari and her husband were government employees.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about dowry-related harassment in India. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the suicide.
