Young Techie’s Tragic Death Raises Serious Questions
A 27-year-old woman, identified as Shilpa Panchangamath, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her home in South Bengaluru earlier this week. Shilpa, who hailed from Hubballi, was employed with Infosys before her marriage and leaves behind a one-and-a-half-year-old son. At the time of her death, she was also reportedly pregnant.
Her sudden demise has sparked a major controversy, with her family alleging that it was not a case of suicide but a murder linked to dowry harassment, domestic abuse, and casteist remarks.
Marriage and Financial Pressures
Shilpa married Praveen, a former Oracle engineer, on December 5, 2022. According to police records, her family spent nearly ₹35 lakh on the wedding, in addition to gifting 150 grams of gold and household articles to the groom’s family.
However, her family alleges that despite this, Praveen and his mother, Shantavva, continued to harass Shilpa for additional money. Six months ago, the family reportedly demanded ₹5 lakh to support Praveen’s street food business. When the demand was not fulfilled immediately, Shilpa was allegedly assaulted and sent back to her parents’ home in Hubballi.
Her mother, Sharada, told police that she eventually managed to arrange the amount and sent Shilpa back, hoping the abuse would end. But the harassment allegedly continued, escalating further in recent months.
Allegations of Verbal and Emotional Abuse
In addition to financial demands, Shilpa was allegedly subjected to repeated humiliation over her appearance. According to her family, she endured degrading remarks from her mother-in-law regarding her complexion.
“You are dark and not a good match for my son. Leave him, we will find him a better bride,” Shantavva allegedly told her.
These constant taunts, combined with domestic conflicts, are believed to have worsened Shilpa’s distress. Her family has insisted that such emotional abuse played a significant role in the circumstances leading to her death.
Family Claims Suspicious Circumstances
Shilpa’s uncle, Channabasayya, raised serious concerns about the manner in which she died. He claimed that it was unlikely she could have ended her life by hanging, as there was no stool or object near the ceiling fan to reach it.
“If he didn’t want to be with her, he could have just sent her back. Instead, he left home saying he was going out of town, and hours later, we were informed of her death,” he alleged, accusing Praveen of murder.
The family further revealed that they had sold their Hubballi home, worth nearly ₹40 lakh, to meet marriage expenses. Recently, they also paid another ₹10 lakh, sourced through chit funds, to satisfy Praveen’s alleged demands.
Police Response and Investigation
The Bengaluru police have registered a case of dowry death and unnatural death, confirming that investigations are underway. “All the allegations have been made by the victim’s family. We have registered a case of dowry death as per protocol. The husband is being questioned, and we are trying to ascertain the veracity of the claims,” a police official stated.
The case is currently being handled by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-level officer, and authorities have assured a thorough investigation into both financial and emotional abuse allegations. Shilpa’s body was handed over to her parents after a post-mortem examination.
A Grim Reminder of Persistent Social Evils
Shilpa’s death underscores the ongoing menace of dowry harassment and domestic violence in India, issues that continue to claim lives despite legal protections. Experts and activists argue that cases like hers reveal how deeply entrenched financial greed, gender bias, and colorism remain in certain parts of society.
While investigations continue, Shilpa’s family is determined to pursue justice and ensure accountability for her death. Her tragic story has reignited calls for stronger enforcement of dowry laws and greater social awareness about emotional abuse in marriages.
