In a tragic sequence of events, a 30-year-old man from Bengaluru, facing charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide following his wife's death, died by suicide in a Nagpur hotel in the early hours of Saturday. The incident came just two days after his wife's suicide, with the family having fled their home city over alleged threats.
A Harrowing Journey Ends in Tragedy
Suraj Shivanna, a franchise owner of an online delivery service from Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, was found hanging in his hotel room in Nagpur's Sonegaon area around 12:30 am. The discovery was made by his 60-year-old mother, Jayanti, who was travelling with him. The sight triggered her own suicide attempt, but she survived after the noose she used snapped.
The family's ordeal began in Bengaluru after Suraj's wife, Ganavi, an MBA graduate, died by suicide on December 23. Following her death, her family filed a police complaint accusing Suraj and his relatives of dowry harassment and driving her to suicide. Suraj's elder brother, Sanjay Shivanna (36), told police that around 30 people from the in-laws' side stormed their Vijayanagar home on December 22, searching for Suraj and issuing threats.
"We were traumatised and in fear. We had no option but to escape Bengaluru," Sanjay stated. The family, including Suraj, his mother, and brother, embarked on a 1,000-kilometre road journey, first stopping in Hyderabad on December 25 before reaching Nagpur late on December 26. They checked into a city hotel at 9:30 pm on Friday.
A Marriage That Soured Quickly
The couple had a lavish arranged marriage in Bengaluru on October 29. Family sources revealed that Ganavi was reportedly reluctant about the union and was pressured into it by her aunt. The newlyweds went on a 10-day honeymoon to Sri Lanka, but the trip turned sour within days.
During the getaway, revelations about Ganavi's pre-marital friendship surfaced, leading to heated arguments. Ganavi expressed disinterest in continuing the marriage, widening the rift between them. The couple cut short their trip and returned to Bengaluru after just five days.
Back home, mediation attempts by family members, including Sanjay, failed. "I tried to broker peace, assuring the couple the matter would be sorted soon, but they didn't listen," Sanjay recounted. Ganavi left for her father's home that night and hours later, died by suicide. Her death led to immediate police action and the filing of a case against Suraj and his family under dowry harassment laws.
Family Denies Allegations, Police Probe On
Speaking to sources, Sanjay Shivanna emphatically denied all dowry allegations. "We did not make any demands. We covered all wedding expenses. It's shocking on their part to hurl such allegations," he said. He reiterated that the family was living under fear due to the threats from Ganavi's relatives.
After Jayanti's failed suicide attempt, she raised an alarm, alerting hotel staff and Sanjay, who then lodged a police report. Suraj was rushed to AIIMS, Nagpur, where doctors declared him dead around 3 am. As per the FIR, he had used a dupatta (scarf) to hang himself from a ceiling fan. The police are awaiting the autopsy report to rule out foul play.
Police teams from Nagpur and Bengaluru are now coordinating the investigations into both suicide cases and the serious dowry harassment allegations. The tragic episode has left two families devastated and highlights the severe repercussions of marital discord and legal accusations.
