Ex-techie dies by suicide after quarrel with mother-in-law over cooking in Bengaluru; husband held for dowry death

BENGALURU: A 35-year-old former techie, P Sushma, died by suicide Tuesday at her Soladevanahalli residence over alleged dowry harassment and domestic fights.

Based on the complaint filed by Sushma's father, TD Prabhakaramurthy, a retired assistant sub-inspector of police, cops arrested her husband, Puneet Kumar, a private company employee, on charges of dowry death.


Married five years ago, the couple has a four-year-old son.

Sushma worked as a software engineer before quitting the job a few years ago. According to Prabhakaramurthy, they gave Rs 10 lakh in cash besides gold ornaments as dowry at the wedding.

"Also, Sushma purchased a car with her money. Still, Puneet and his mother, Kalpana, demanded more dowry," Prabhakaramurthy claimed in his complaint, adding, "We suspect they killed Sushma and hanged her."

Police said the family had been witnessing frequent quarrels over trivial matters in recent months. On Monday, a fresh altercation reportedly broke out between Sushma and her mother-in-law, Kalpana, over cooking.

According to Sushma's family, Kalpana allegedly prevented her from cooking and subjected her to repeated harassment on various issues.

Police said, distressed by the situation, Sushma allegedly died by hanging.

(With agency inputs)