Manisha Goswami, a 26-year-old woman from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, died by suicide ten months after her marriage, after recording a video accusing her husband Ashutosh Goswami and in-laws of continuous harassment and dowry demands.
Manisha claimed physical and mental abuse, stating she was “exhausted with life” and had not been happy even for ten days in marriage. Police have registered a case, arrested the husband and are investigating the allegations. The case highlights ongoing dowry harassment issues despite legal protections.
Dowry Harassment and Abuse Allegations
In a heartbreaking final video message, Manisha spoke of being subjected to relentless torture by her husband and in-laws. She revealed that her husband had assaulted her twice without reason, with her mother-in-law supporting the abuse.
The victim described her situation as unbearable, citing the pressures of dowry demands and continual mental and physical torment. According to police, her father formally filed a complaint seeking justice, and the investigation includes collecting statements and examining digital evidence to understand events leading to her death.
Context of Dowry Harassment in India
Manisha’s case is a disturbing example of the persistent dowry harassment scourge in India, where despite laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act, many women continue to suffer. Cases of dowry-related torture and suicides remain alarmingly frequent, often involving both emotional and physical abuse from husbands and their families.
This incident follows several similar tragic cases across the country in recent years, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger enforcement, social awareness, and community support systems to combat these injustices and protect vulnerable women.
Police Response and Legal Proceedings
The police in Raipur have registered an FIR based on the complaints and video evidence, initiating a formal investigation to ascertain the facts. The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem, and authorities are recording statements from neighbors and relatives.
Manisha’s father has approached the DD Nagar police station to seek justice and demand a thorough and impartial investigation. Authorities have registered a formal case and begun examining the allegations raised in the video.
The investigation also focuses on digital forensics to reconstruct the circumstances leading up to Manisha’s suicide. Authorities have expressed commitment to ensuring that the case is handled with sensitivity and that justice is served promptly to deter such incidents in the future.
Similar Dowry Harassment Cases Continue to Surface
Tragically, Manisha Goswami’s case is not isolated. Across India in 2025, several women have taken their own lives after facing relentless dowry harassment. In Gurgaon, a 28-year-old nurse named Sharmila and her two-year-old son died by suicide after prolonged demands for a car, gold jewellery, and money led to mental and physical abuse by her husband and in-laws.
Similarly, a 27-year-old techie in Bengaluru, Shilpa, was found hanging after years of dowry torture despite her family meeting initial demands. These heartbreaking stories reveal the deep-rooted persistence of dowry abuse, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement and societal change to support vulnerable women and prevent further tragedies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Manisha Goswami’s tragic story is a somber reminder of the deep-rooted social evil of dowry harassment and its catastrophic consequences. The Logical Indian advocates for a complete cultural shift towards empathy, respect, and equality in marital relationships, and a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse and dowry demand.
Society must come together to support survivors, spread awareness, and strengthen legal safeguards to protect women’s rights.
