CHENNAI: Relatives of a 22-year-old woman who allegedly died by suicide in Villupuram staged a protest on Monday, refusing to receive her body and demanding action over alleged caste-based abuse, dowry harassment and physical assault by her husband and in-laws.
According to a Daily Thanthi report, the protest was led by the woman’s brother Richard and other family members, who gathered at the Villupuram Collectorate raising slogans and seeking strict action against the accused. Police personnel held talks with the protesters and later allowed them to submit a petition to officials, who assured action after an inquiry. The relatives dispersed following the assurance.
In the petition, the family alleged that the woman had been subjected to repeated harassment, including caste-based verbal abuse, dowry demands and physical violence by her husband Vasantharaj and his family. Claiming that her death was suspicious and not a suicide, they demanded that cases be registered under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with sections related to dowry harassment and murder. They also stated that they would not receive the body until action was initiated.
The deceased, Devajesipriya (22), from Azhagappasamuthiram near Panruti in Cuddalore district, had fallen in love with Vasantharaj (25) from Sornavur Melpathi in Villupuram district, and gotten married to him three months ago.
On January 31, Vasantharaj informed her relatives that she had allegedly hanged herself at home. She was taken to the Cuddalore Government Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. The body was later sent to the Mundiyampakkam Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.
Valavanur police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.