Rithanya Dowry Death Case | Madras High Court Grants Bail To Husband & In-Laws

The Madras High Court has granted bail to Kavin Kumar, Annadhurai, and Chitra Devi, the husband and in-laws of 27 year old 27-year-old Rithanya, who committed suicide earlier in July this year in Tiruppur, over alleged dowry harassment.

Justice G Jayachandran noted that since the investigation was almost completed, including the examination of the witnesses, it was not necessary to keep the accused under custody. The judge thus granted bail on the condition that the accused appear before the jurisdictional police every day in the morning and evening, till further orders.

Rithanya, who got married to Kavin Kumar around three 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.

Senior Advocate John Sathyan, appearing for the accused, had denied the allegations of dowry harassment. It was submitted that the family did not need to make any demand for dowry, as both families were on equal financial status. It was further submitted that even during the time of marriage, they had not made any demands of dowry. The counsel submitted that Rithanya was in a mentally distressed state even before the marriage.

Senior Advocate Abudu Kumar, appearing for Rithanya's father, submitted that Rithanya was in a traumatic situation both verbally and physically after her marriage. It was submitted that he got to know the gravity of the situation only after receiving the voice notes from Rithanya. He argued that Rithanya, an educated girl, was forced to commit suicide in the present case and said that the accused should not be given bail as there was a possibility of destroying the evidence.

Governemnt Advocate informed the court that Rithanya's audio recording had been sent to forensic examination and the results of the same was awaited. He also placed a status report, giving details of the progress of investigation. 

Considering the same, the court was inclined to grant bail. 

Case Title: KE Kavin Kumar v. State

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 281

Case No: Crl OP 20949 of 2025