Before 27-year-old Rithanya died by suicide, her last words were, "I am sorry, Dad. I don’t want anybody to save me this time. All this while, I hoped that my life would change. I’ve now realised that it won’t."
These haunting lines are from one of the seven voice notes Rithanya sent her father before she died by suicide on Saturday, June 28. From the voice notes and the father’s interviews, what emerges is a familiar pattern: a newlywed woman is abused with demands for more dowry, her parents try to reconcile the marriage, and the woman is ultimately unable to bear the harassment.
Rithanya’s body was discovered in her car on the roads of Tiruppur district, just two months after her marriage to Kavin Kumar (27).
After her death, Rithanya's father, RG Annadurai (53), filed a complaint at Sevur police station, and her family staged a sit-in protest in front of the Avinashi Government Hospital. Police then arrested Kavin, his father Eswaramurthy (51), and mother Chithradevi (47). Further investigation is underway.
Rithanya and Kavin tied the knot on April 11, 2025. According to news reports, Rithanya's parents had presented a dowry of 100 sovereigns of gold and a Volvo luxury car worth Rs 70 lakh.
According to Annadurai, the initial two weeks of the marriage were seemingly peaceful, but arguments began surfacing in the third week. Annadurai and his wife intervened, bringing Rithanya back home. Kavin would visit sometimes, and after 20 days, he took her back.
On June 22, Rithanya returned to her parents’ home with Kavin, visibly sad and withdrawn. Kavin claimed there was no fight, merely that she wanted to stay at her parental home. The following day, he visited her. When pressed about the issue, Rithanya initially refused to elaborate, stating only that she did not wish to return to her husband's house.
On June 27, Kavin met Rithanya again. Annadurai, hoping to reconcile them, found both denying any problems.
The next morning, Rithanya left for Mondipalayam temple around 9.30 am in their car. At 1 pm, a call from Rithanya's phone to her mother delivered devastating news: Rithanya's car was found on the road, and she was unconscious in the driver's seat.
Annadurai rushed to the scene to find his daughter unresponsive. She was rushed to Avinashi Government Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.
In seven audio messages sent to her father via WhatsApp before her death, Rithanya laid bare her torment.
"I can’t live with him. He and his family are criminals. They planned to destroy my life," she said in one recording, adding, "I don’t wish to live with him. Neither can I leave this marriage and choose another life."
She expressed a profound sense of hopelessness, stating, "My life is not good. That’s all. It is over. I don’t have any intention to live further."
“I don’t want anybody to save me this time,” Rithanya said. “I always thought life would change, but now I know it won’t. They have hurt me and insulted me. I can’t live with him. I don’t want to be a lifelong burden to you.”
In her recordings, Ridhanya said she was mentally tormented by her in-laws and physically assaulted by Kavin. “I cannot bear the mental torture that they are giving me, nor can I be with him physically,” she said. “I’m not lying to you, Dad. This is the truth.”
One of her most painful statements was, “I can’t marry again after having been with one man.”
In another message, she apologised to her parents and said, “I feel ashamed after talking about this to everyone. This problem cannot be solved. We cannot change a person’s character. They have hurt me a lot. They have insulted me as well. It is enough. I can end my life instead of living with that family."
Rithanya’s desperation can be heard in another voice note too. "Appa, forgive me. It is enough. I cannot [bear this anymore]. I know you will be angry with me and that you will hate me. I know everything. I can’t hurt you both. But I cannot live without peace with someone for the society’s sake.”
She added, “I’ve realised that [this] problem cannot be solved through mediation. Or by taking me to temples or checking horoscopes. I am sorry, Pa. I really don’t want to live. I have no hope."
Tragically, Rithanya appeared to blame herself for her torment.
“You and Mother are my world. But I’ve caused you so much pain. Forgive me, Pa. Forgive me, Ma. That’s all. Everything is over. I am leaving,” she said in her final message.
Annadurai told the media, “They destroyed my daughter’s life. They tortured her mentally, physically, and financially. She told me they were locking her inside the house while behaving differently with us. They harassed her for money and jewellery. I asked her to stay home with us. But she ended her life. What happened to my child should not happen to anybody else."
He also revealed that Kavin's mother had assured him that her son would change and there would be no more problems. However, Rithanya had confided in Annadurai that she was being locked inside the house. She faced numerous restrictions along with harassment for more money and jewellery.
This case adds to a growing list of young women across south India dying by suicide after being trapped in abusive marriages. Rishanya’s case is very similar to the cases of Vismaya, who died after dowry abuse in 2022, and Archana, who took her life in 2023.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu:
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh:
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka:
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala:
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana:
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.