Woman dies by suicide in a suspected case of dowry harassment near Tirupati

Tirupati: A 30-year-old woman identified as P Muni Latha allegedly died by suicide in a suspected case of dowry harassment at Kukkalapally village under Pakala police station limits near Tirupati.

According to Pakala circle inspector T Chinna Govindu, Muni Latha was married to G Uday Kumar of Kukkalapally village in 2024. At the time of their marriage, Muni Latha’s parents gave 11 sovereigns gold ornaments as dowry.

However, shortly after the marriage, Munilatha was allegedly subjected to relentless physical and mental harassment for additional dowry by her husband Goduguchinta Uday Kumar, his maternal aunt Bujjamma (an APSPDCL employee), elder sister Usha, and paternal uncle Chandrababu.

The father alleged that the abuse was so severe that Munilatha had attempted suicide within the first few months of marriage itself but was saved then. Even after Muni Latha gave birth to a son in Oct 2025, the dowry harassment did not end.

Just days before her death, on June 4, 2026, Munilatha had called her parents to inform them that she had been physically assaulted by her husband and his family at their Seethamma Nagar residence in Tirupati.

On the midnight of June 9 at around 12:15 am, Muni Latha’s family received information that she had passed away. Upon rushing to the scene, relatives discovered suspicious injury marks and ligature marks around her neck. While her husband claimed that Muni Latha hanged herself following an argument over dowry, the family strongly suspects foul play.

Based on the complaint filed by Muni Latha’s father Sankaraiah, the Pakala police have registered a criminal case against Uday Kumar, Bujjamma, Usha, and Chandrababu under sections relating to dowry harassment, abetment to suicide, and other legal provisions.

Investigating officers have visited the crime scene, conducted an inquest, and shifted the body to the government hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police officials stated that further legal action will be determined based on the post-mortem report and circumstantial evidence as the investigation continues.