CHENNAI: The 20-year-old wife of Praveen (26), who was allegedly hacked to death by a five-member gang including the girl’s brother in a case of honour killing, died by suicide.
The girl, Sharmila, attempted to kill herself on April 14 and was moved to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital where she died on Monday night, without responding to treatment.
Praveen's mother G Chithra said Sharmila was distraught after reading Praveen's post mortem report. In what Praveen's family claimed was a suicide note left behind by Sharmila, she wrote, "Wherever RC (Praveen) goes, I go. I don't want this life without him."
"Despite all of us always keeping an eye on her and trying to cheer her up everyday, I noticed that she withdrew into a shell after reading descriptions of Praveen's injuries and subsequent death in the post mortem report," she said.
However, family members said that they were shocked by her decision since she had been keen on rejoining college this Monday and was looking to take up driving classes to learn to drive Praveen's car.
"It also infuriated her that her parents were ready to take her brother (the accused) out on bail while her life was ruined," Chitra said.
Praveen was a Dalit while Sharmila belonged to a Backward Class community. The family demanded that the case of Praveen's murder be transferred to CB-CID.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
