Nagercoil: A 25-year-old Malayali college lecturer, Shruthi, took her own life, allegedly due to prolonged dowry-related harassment. Shruthi, originally from Piravanthoor in Kollam, was found dead on October 22.

Six months before, Shruthi had married Karthik, an employee of the electricity office in Kottara, who hails from Suchindram in Tamil Nadu. Her family, residing in Coimbatore Kovilpalayam, provided a dowry of Rs 10 lakh and 50 sovereigns of gold. However, Karthik's mother, Chembakavalli, found this dowry insufficient, leading to ongoing conflicts.

According to Shruthi's family, she confessed to her mother about the mental torture imposed by her mother-in-law, including being forced to surrender her gold ornaments for Karthik's sister and being made to eat from unwashed plates. In a voice message, Shruthi expressed her pain and added that she is left with no other option but to end her life.

Following that Shruthi's parents travelled from Coimbatore to Suchindram but on their way they received a call from her sister-in-law about her suicide. Sruthi's parents seeking justice lodged a complaint with the Suchindram police on Wednesday. After a post-mortem examination, her body was returned to her relatives for final rites.

Meanwhile, Chembakavalli was found poisoned in her family home and is currently receiving treatment at Nagercoil Medical College Hospital. Police suspect that she may have attempted suicide out of fear of the impending investigation.

(Attention: Suicide is not a solution to any problem. Those struggling with mental health issues should seek help from professionals. The 'Disha' helpline provides free counselling and support services. Dial toll-free helpline number: 1056 or 0471-2552056)