Vishakha Tilkar, 26, allegedly died by suicide just 48 days after her marriage, with her family accusing her doctor husband and in-laws of subjecting her to severe physical and mental harassment.
The couple tied the knot on April 30 and lived in Ambernath near Mumbai. According to her family, relations were cordial before the wedding, but things changed soon after. They claimed her in-laws were unhappy over the gifts and the level of “respect" they had received during the marriage ceremony, media reported.
“She was constantly pressured to bring jewellery and money from her parents’ home," said a family member.
Vishakha’s relatives alleged that her husband, Nitin Tilkar, had installed CCTV cameras both inside and outside their home and closely monitored her activities, leaving her with no privacy. They further claimed that she was assaulted whenever she interacted with others.
“Nitin Tilkar had installed CCTV cameras inside and outside the house to monitor her every move. Whenever she spoke to anyone, she would be brutally beaten upon returning home. Two days before she died by suicide, she was thrashed for talking to a female neighbour. Driven to despair, she took her own life," he added.
The family said Vishakha had informed her mother about the abuse she was facing. They said her parents had begun making arrangements to bring her back home, but before that could happen, they were informed that she had allegedly hanged herself, media reported.
Police have registered a case at Shivajinagar Police Station in Ambernath against Nitin Tilkar, his mother Chhaya, and his brother Ninad on charges of mental and physical harassment and abetment to suicide. An official said Nitin has been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the other two accused.
