Bengaluru/Nagpur: A tragedy that began inside a newlywed couple’s home in Bengaluru ended in a silent hotel room nearly 1,000 kilometres away, leaving two families shattered and a trail of unanswered questions.

Suraj Shivanna (35), a resident of BEL Layout in Bengaluru’s Vidyaranyapura, was found dead by suicide in a hotel room on Wardha Road in Nagpur late Friday night, days after he was accused of abetting his wife’s suicide in an alleged dowry harassment case. 

His 60-year-old mother, Jayanti Shivanna, who had travelled with him, also attempted suicide but survived and is undergoing treatment. Police said Suraj was found hanging from the ceiling fan when hotel staff alerted authorities after noticing something amiss. 

His mother was discovered unconscious in the same room and was immediately shifted to a hospital, where doctors confirmed she is now stable.

The grim sequence of events was triggered earlier this week in Bengaluru. Suraj had married Ganavi just one and a half months ago, and the couple was living together in Vidyaranyapura. On Thursday, Ganavi allegedly attempted suicide at their home and later died while undergoing treatment.

Following her death, Ganavi’s parents filed a complaint accusing Suraj and his family of dowry harassment. Based on the complaint, Bengaluru police registered a case of abetment of suicide. Protests soon followed, with the woman’s family demanding swift and strict action against the accused.

Police said Suraj and his mother left Bengaluru soon after the case was registered, claiming they feared arrest and alleged that they were facing threats from Ganavi’s relatives. Accompanied by Suraj’s younger brother Sanjay, the duo first travelled to Hyderabad before reaching Nagpur on December 26, where they checked into a hotel.

Senior Inspector Nitin Magar of Sonegaon police station said the situation took a tragic turn within hours. “Suraj Shivanna hanged himself from a ceiling fan in the hotel room. After learning about her son’s death, his mother, Jayanti, attempted suicide but was saved,” he said, adding that she remains out of danger.

Suraj’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and police have recorded the statement of his brother. “For now, a case of accidental death has been registered. We are coordinating closely with Bengaluru police in connection with the abetment of suicide case,” Inspector Magar said.

As investigations continue across two states, the case has laid bare the devastating ripple effects of a marital dispute that spiralled into multiple deaths, leaving behind grief, anger, and haunting questions.