27-Year-Old Woman Commits Suicide After Months of Dowry Harassment and Forced Virginity Test in Nashik

Nashik: A 27-year-old woman named Neha consumed poison and took her own life in Panchavati area of Nashik city, Maharashtra, just five months after her marriage. According to police reports, she was subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws over financial demands and other issues.

Neha married Santosh Pandit Pawar in June, but shortly after the wedding, her husband, mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law reportedly began tormenting her to extract money from her family. The continuous abuse ultimately drove her to suicide on Wednesday afternoon at her matrimonial home.

Before ending her life, Neha wrote a suicide note, photographed it, and sent it to her brother via WhatsApp. In the note, she detailed the persistent torture inflicted by her husband and in-laws. She also revealed disturbing allegations that her husband had shown her photographs of his previous affair and that her in-laws had forced her to undergo a virginity test. Additionally, she mentioned that her husband frequently questioned her character.

Upon receiving the distressing message, Neha's brother rushed to her house where he found her unconscious. He immediately transported her to a private hospital, but she succumbed during treatment.

Following her death, Neha's family members gathered outside the Panchavati police station, demanding justice and severe punishment for those responsible for driving her to suicide.

Authorities acted swiftly, arresting five individuals on Thursday: Neha's husband Santosh, her mother-in-law Jijabai Pawar, and three sisters-in-law – Sheetal Ashok Ahire, Meenakshi Sheetal Ahire, and Bharati Dattaram Pawar.

Krishna Chandgude from the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, an organization that combats superstition and advocates scientific thinking, has called for a governmental investigation into the virginity test allegation mentioned in Neha's suicide note.