India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Behind India’s wedding celebrations, expensive gifts and grand ceremonies, thousands of women continue to suffer silently inside their marriages.
India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024, with recent cases like Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida tragically highlighting continued domestic abuse and ignored pleas for help despite strict laws.
The deaths of Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida have once again shaken the country, not just because of the allegations of dowry harassment, but because both women had reportedly reached out for help before their deaths.
Their heartbreaking messages, emotional pleas and families’ accusations have now become part of a larger national conversation around dowry violence, domestic abuse and whether warning signs are still being ignored until tragedy strikes.
The NCRB Data:
According to the latest NCRB Data released in May 6, 2026 – India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024, meaning nearly 16 women lost their lives every single day in cases linked to dowry harassment, domestic abuse and suspicious deaths after marriage.
The grim statistics have once again come under national focus after the deaths of Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida triggered outrage across social media and public discourse.
Both cases involved allegations of harassment, emotional abuse and dowry pressure, with families claiming their daughters repeatedly cried for help before their deaths.
Twisha Sharma’s Final Messages Left The Internet Disturbed
Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old woman from Noida, was found dead at her husband’s house in Bhopal on May 12.
The initial post-mortem report reportedly stated the cause of death as “ante-mortem hanging by ligature,” indicating she was alive at the time of hanging. The report also mentioned multiple ante-mortem injuries on her body.
Her family accused her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired judge, of dowry harassment, emotional abuse and murder.
The case gained massive attention after Twisha’s WhatsApp chats with her mother surfaced online.
In one emotional message, she wrote:
“Mujhe bhaut zyada ghutan ho rahi hai maa”
(“I feel terribly suffocated, Mother.”)
She also pleaded:
“Maa aap mujhe yaha se lene aajao”
(“Mom, please come and take me away from here.”)
Another message read:
“Mera jeevan narak ho gaya hai mummy”
(“My life has become hell, Mom.”)
The chats painted a disturbing picture of emotional trauma, isolation and repeated cries for help.
An SIT has now been formed in Madhya Pradesh to investigate allegations related to dowry harassment, assault and destruction of evidence.
Deepika Nagar’s Death Triggers Fresh Shock In Greater Noida
Days after Twisha’s case sparked outrage, another alleged dowry death emerged from Greater Noida.
Deepika Nagar, a 25-year-old woman from Jalpura village, allegedly died after falling from the roof of her in-laws’ house just 17 months after marriage.
According to police, the incident took place late Sunday night under the Ecotech-III police station limits.
Her family claims they spent nearly Rs 1 crore on the wedding in December 2024, but the harassment allegedly started only a few months later.
“They Wanted A Fortuner And Rs 51 Lakh”
Deepika’s father Sanjay Nagar alleged that the in-laws were unhappy with the dowry given during the marriage.
Fighting back tears, he said:
“Unhe Fortuner gaadi chahiye thi, 51 lakh rupaye chahiye the”
(“They wanted a Fortuner car and Rs 51 lakh.”)
According to him, the family had already given:
- Rs 11 lakh cash
- Gold worth around Rs 50 lakh
- Furniture
- A Scorpio vehicle
Despite this, he alleged that Deepika was mentally and physically harassed over additional demands.
Family Says They Tried To “Save” The Marriage
Deepika’s father said the family avoided filing a police complaint initially because they hoped the situation would improve.
“We didn’t file a police complaint. We kept thinking, ‘Let it pass, let it pass.’ We tried very hard to save her.”
The statement reflected a reality many families face – remaining silent in the hope that domestic tensions will eventually settle.
Deepika Called Home Crying Before Death
According to the family, Deepika contacted them on Sunday crying and informed them that she was being beaten and abused by her husband and in-laws.
Her father and relatives reportedly visited her marital home later that evening in an attempt to resolve the issue.
However, hours later, the family allegedly received a call around 12:30 am informing them about Deepika’s fall from the rooftop.
Father Rejects Suicide Theory
Deepika’s father strongly denied claims that his daughter died by suicide and accused the in-laws of murdering her.
“They killed her. After beating her, they threw her down from the roof. They did it together. What is this talk of suicide? This is murder.”
He further alleged:
“She has been stabbed in the stomach with a knife or a screwdriver.”
The family also claimed there were visible injury marks on Deepika’s body and that blood was coming from her nose and ears when they reached the hospital.
“Those Beasts Killed Her”: Father’s Emotional Allegation
In another emotional statement, Deepika’s father said:
“Those beasts killed her last night. They killed her out of greed for dowry.”
He added:
“For the past 10 months, she had been constantly telling us about her plight, but we kept trying to reason with her. Yet, it made absolutely no difference to them whatsoever.”
He also claimed:
“After killing her, they threw her down from the roof.”
Police Arrest Husband And Father-In-Law
Police confirmed that Deepika’s husband Ritick Tanwar and father-in-law Manoj have been arrested.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shailendra Kumar Singh said:
“Last night, information was received that a woman – who had been married for one and a half years – died after jumping from a rooftop.”
He added that police immediately reached the scene and began legal procedures, including post-mortem examination arrangements.
According to the officer:
“Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family members, the woman’s husband, Ritick Tanwar, and father-in-law have been arrested in connection with this case.”
Dowry Deaths Continue Across India Despite Strict Laws
The deaths of Twisha Sharma and Deepika Nagar have once again highlighted the wider national crisis reflected in NCRB data.
According to 2024 figures:
- 5,737 dowry deaths were recorded nationwide
- 1,20,227 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives were registered
- Total crimes against women crossed 4.41 lakh cases
What Indian Law Says
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023:
Section 80 – Dowry Death
A woman’s death within seven years of marriage under suspicious or unnatural circumstances linked to dowry harassment can qualify as dowry death.
Punishment:
- Minimum 7 years imprisonment
- Up to life imprisonment
- Section 85 – Cruelty By Husband Or Relatives
The law covers:
- Mental harassment
- Physical abuse
- Harassment linked to dowry demands
- Conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide
Punishment can extend up to:
- 3 years imprisonment
- Fine
- Uttar Pradesh Recorded Highest Dowry Death Cases
According to 2024 data:
- Uttar Pradesh – 2,057 cases
- Bihar – 1,078 cases
- Jharkhand – 320 cases
- Madhya Pradesh – 310 cases
- Rajasthan – 295 cases
Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for nearly 36 percent of India’s dowry deaths.
Conviction Rates Still Remain Low
Experts say another major concern is the low conviction rate in dowry death cases.
Historical NCRB data shows conviction rates have remained between 11 percent and 17 percent, while more than 90 percent of cases continue to remain pending in courts.
Women’s rights activists argue that many warning signs are ignored until tragedy strikes.
“What Good Does Giving A Car Do Now?”
One of the most emotional moments came when Deepika’s father reflected on the dowry given during the wedding.
“The regret is absolute. What is there to be done now? Our daughter is gone. What good does giving a car do to her?”
His words echoed a painful reality faced by many families across India – where social pressure, silence and compromise often continue until it is too late.
As investigations continue in both the Twisha Sharma and Deepika Nagar cases, the country is once again confronting uncomfortable questions about dowry, domestic abuse and whether repeated cries for help are still being ignored.
