Jamshedpur: In a shocking incident that has sparked outrage and suspicion, 23-year-old Rita Kumari Mahato, a newly married woman, was found hanging in her home at Kagalnagar in Sonari on Thursday, barely 17 days after her wedding to Chandan Mahato on April 29.
Rita was rushed to Tata Main Hospital (TMH) by her family, where she was declared brought dead by doctors. The tragic incident has quickly escalated into a criminal case, with Rita’s maternal family accusing her in-laws of dowry-related torture and murder.
Rita’s brother, Shambhu Mahato, has lodged a formal complaint with the Sonari police, alleging that his sister was subjected to ongoing mental and physical harassment by her husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law over dowry demands.
According to Shambhu, the in-laws had demanded a motorcycle, and when the demand was not fulfilled, they allegedly murdered Rita and staged the scene as a suicide to mislead authorities.
“We never imagined they would take her life just for a bike. Rita had complained to us about the pressure they were putting on her. We want justice for our daughter,” said Shambhu Mahato.
In his defense, Chandan Mahato, the husband, has denied all dowry allegations. He claimed that Rita had been hiding things from him, and the two had a heated argument on the day of the incident after he discovered old photographs of her with a former boss on her mobile phone.
“I confronted her about the photos. There was an argument, but I left for work soon after. Later, I received a call from my mother saying Rita had hanged herself. I had no idea things would end like this,” Chandan said.
Chandan also asserted that any mention of a motorcycle had been made in a casual context, not as a dowry demand.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against three members of the in-laws’ family—Chandan Mahato, his father, and his mother—under sections related to dowry harassment and murder.
The police have sent the body for post-mortem, which was conducted on Friday. Officials stated that the exact cause of death will be determined based on the autopsy findings.
“We are treating this case with utmost seriousness. Both sides have made strong claims, and we are awaiting the post-mortem report to proceed further,” said a senior official from Sonari police station.
The incident has shocked the local community in Kagalnagar and surrounding areas, reigniting concerns over the persistent menace of dowry and violence against women. Neighbors and local activists have expressed their grief and called for a fair and swift investigation.
“This is not just a family tragedy; it’s a societal failure. In 2025, how can a woman still lose her life over dowry?” said a local resident.
