Family alleges dowry harassment after woman, married for 15 months, found hanging in Bengaluru

While police initially suspected suicide, Shruthi’s maternal family has alleged that her death was not self-inflicted and claimed it to be a case of murder.

Published on: Mar 16, 2026, 15:36:23 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Police have arrested a man after his 24-year-old wife was found hanging from a ceiling fan at their home in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka area under suspicious circumstances.

The Bengaluru police stand guard at BMTC bus stand, as coronavirus cases surge in Bengaluru, Wednesday (PTI)

The woman, identified as Shruthi, had married Pawan Kalyan, a private employee, in December 2024. Since their marriage, the couple had been living in Yelahanka.

According to police, the incident came to light on Saturday when Shruthi was found hanging at home. She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead, news agency PTI reported.

What happened?

While police initially suspected suicide, Shruthi’s maternal family has alleged that her death was not self-inflicted and claimed it to be a case of murder. They have accused her husband and his family of repeatedly harassing her for additional dowry.

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A senior police officer said the couple had been engaging in frequent disputes linked to these allegations. Although the two families had recently attempted to resolve their differences, tensions reportedly resurfaced.

Shruthi’s younger brother, Amruth, described how the family first learned about the tragedy. "They told me on the phone that my sister died by suicide, and I immediately informed my father. The couple had argued earlier that day before I was told she had died. When I checked, the ceiling fan did not appear to have bent or moved. My sister weighed 75 kg,"

Following the complaint from Shruthi’s family, police registered a case of dowry harassment against Pawan Kalyan at the Yelahanka New Town police station. He has since been taken into custody as part of the investigation.

Authorities said the autopsy report will determine the exact cause of Shruthi’s death, and further action will depend on its findings.

(With PTI Inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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