Rithanya Dowry Death Case | Madras High Court Seeks State's Response On Bail Plea By Husband And Mother-in-Law
The Madras High Court has directed the State to respond to a bail plea filed by the husband and mother-in-law of Rithanya, who committed suicide due to alleged dowry harassment.
When the matter came up before Justice M Nirmal Kumar, Advocate Muthuchharan Sundaresh informed the court that Rithanya's father also intends to file an intervening petition in the case. It was submitted that the same is yet to be filed. The Public Prosecutor took notice for the State and has been asked to respond to the plea in a week.
The case relates to the death of 27-year-old Rithanya, who committed suicide earlier this month in Tiruppur, over alleged dowry harassment. Rithanya, who got married to Kavin Kumar two months ago, had allegedly complained to her parents that her husband and his family had been harassing her mentally and physically over dowry and other issues.
Following her death, and based on the voice recordings sent by her to her father before her death, the Cheyur police registered a case under Section 194(3) [Suicide by a woman within 7 years of marriage] BNSS. Following this, Rithanya's husband, Kavin, and his father Eswaramoorthy were arrested for offences under Section 85 [Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty] and Section 108 [Abetment of Suicide] of the BNS.
The husband and mother-in-law have now approached the High Court seeking bail.
Rithanya's father has objected to this bail petition, stating that the husband and his family have high monetary and political power and have been attempting to obstruct the investigation. It has been submitted that if enlarged on bail, there is a possibility that the husband and his family would destroy all evidence in the case.
Case Title: KE Kavin Kumar v. State
Case No: Crl OP 20949 of 2025