Police intensify investigation into Shruti's death, summon parents for statements

NAGERCOIL: The police have intensified their investigation into the alleged suicide of Shruti, a college teacher from Kollam, who was found dead at her husband’s residence in Nagercoil on October 21. Following her death, Nagercoil RDO S Kalishwari has summoned Shruti’s parents to appear and testify in person. The family has been instructed to present themselves on October 29 for further inquiry.

Shruti married Karthik, an employee of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, six months ago. Reports indicate that Shruti had been subjected to frequent harassment over dowry by Karthik's mother, Chembakavalli. The situation reportedly escalated, leading to a tragic incident where Shruti was found hanging in her room. Her father, Babu Suchindram, lodged a formal complaint with the police, prompting the RDO to take direct charge of the case investigation.

On the day of the incident, police and RDO Kalishwari conducted an on-site inspection and recorded statements from both Karthik and his mother. A voice message of Shruti speaking to her mother before her death has also emerged. In the message, Shruti details the abuse she faced, stating, "I am not even allowed to sit with my husband, nor eat with him. She forced me to eat from a separate bowl. She took away the jewelry; it should be reclaimed."

According to Shruti’s family, a dowry of Rs 10 lakh and 50 sovereigns of gold were given to Karthik’s family at the time of marriage. Meanwhile, Chembakavalli is currently in critical condition after consuming poison in the aftermath of the incident. She is receiving treatment on a ventilator at Asaripallam Government Medical College Hospital. The police investigation is ongoing and further statements from Shruti's family will be recorded on October 29.