In a shocking incident highlighting the continuing menace of dowry harassment in India, a 27-year-old woman identified as Shilpa, who was reportedly pregnant, was found hanging at her residence in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Shilpa, who previously worked with IT major Infosys, had been married to Praveen for around two-and-a-half years. The couple has a one-and-a-half-year-old child. Police sources confirmed that her husband has been arrested for allegedly abetting suicide.

Family’s Allegations

According to the victim’s family, Shilpa had been facing continuous harassment over dowry demands from her in-laws. They alleged that the constant pressure and humiliation drove her to take the extreme step.

Family members revealed that despite her professional background and responsibilities as a young mother, Shilpa was repeatedly subjected to mental torture and financial demands. They have urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure strict action against all those responsible.

Police Investigation

The Bengaluru Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304B (dowry death). Officials confirmed that forensic teams were called in to examine the crime scene and further investigation is underway.

Police said that Shilpa’s husband, Praveen, has been taken into custody, and questioning of other family members is ongoing. Authorities are also collecting testimonies from neighbors and relatives to ascertain the nature of harassment she faced.

Rising Concern Over Dowry Deaths

Despite being legally banned since 1961, dowry continues to claim hundreds of lives every year across India. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), thousands of cases of dowry deaths are reported annually, with many more going unreported due to social stigma and family pressure.

Activists have once again called for stricter enforcement of laws and greater societal awareness to curb this social evil. They stressed that even highly educated women from urban backgrounds, like Shilpa, are not spared from the menace of dowry harassment.

A Community in Shock

The tragic death has left Shilpa’s neighborhood and workplace community in deep shock. Colleagues who knew her described her as a dedicated professional and caring mother. Many took to social media to express anger over yet another case of dowry-linked abuse, demanding justice for Shilpa.

Shilpa’s one-and-a-half-year-old child is now left in the care of extended family, as authorities proceed with the investigation.

The Bigger Picture

This incident serves as a grim reminder that dowry harassment is not confined to rural India, but is equally prevalent in metropolitan cities like Bengaluru. Experts stress the need for:

• Stronger community support systems for women.
• Faster trial mechanisms in dowry-related cases.
• Counseling and helplines for women in abusive marriages.

Unless addressed collectively, such tragedies will continue to shatter families and expose deep-rooted gender inequality in Indian society.

A wave of grief, anger, and political backlash has engulfed Haryana after the shocking murder of Manisha, a 19-year-old playschool teacher from Singhani village in the Bhiwani district. Her brutal killing has sparked large-scale protests, with villagers and community leaders demanding swift justice.

Manisha, who had gone missing on August 11, was found dead in a field on August 13. Her throat had been slit, leaving the community in shock and her family devastated. According to reports, she had stepped out to visit a nearby nursing college to enquire about admission. When she did not return home, her family immediately grew concerned and approached the police.

Allegations of Police Negligence

The victim’s family has alleged that the police were slow to respond and initially refused to take their complaint seriously. Instead, they reportedly suggested that Manisha may have run away and would eventually return. The family has accused the authorities of negligence in the crucial hours after her disappearance, which might have otherwise helped in saving her life.

In a strong show of defiance, the family has refused to perform her last rites until the police arrest those responsible for the heinous crime. The demand for accountability has found widespread support across the region, further fueling public outrage.

Protests and Public Anger

On Sunday, August 17, hundreds of villagers staged a protest, blocking the Delhi–Pilani road to demand immediate action. Traffic came to a standstill for hours as residents raised slogans against police inaction and demanded justice for Manisha.

Adding to the momentum, a mahapanchayat (community gathering) was held near Dhigawa Mandi, where village leaders, women’s groups, and youth representatives pledged to continue their agitation until the culprits are brought to justice. The gathering also saw demands for stronger safety measures for women, including better patrolling, stricter laws, and faster investigations in cases of gender-based violence.

Political Reactions and Demands for Justice

The case has also drawn political attention, with opposition parties criticizing the state government over deteriorating law and order. Several leaders have visited Singhani village to express solidarity with the grieving family and to demand immediate arrests. Social media has amplified the outrage, with hashtags like #JusticeForManisha trending across platforms.

Many activists have pointed out that the case highlights the broader issue of women’s safety in rural India, where inadequate policing, delayed FIR registrations, and lack of accountability often hinder justice.

A Community in Mourning

For Singhani village, Manisha’s death is not just the loss of a young teacher with dreams of pursuing nursing — it is a collective tragedy. Friends and neighbors describe her as a hardworking, compassionate girl who wanted to improve her family’s life through education and service. Now, her dreams have been cut short in an act of unimaginable brutality.

As the investigation continues, the community stands united in grief and resistance. For them, justice for Manisha is not just about punishing her killers but also about ensuring that no other daughter of the village suffers the same fate.

Call for Stronger Laws and Accountability

Women’s rights groups and activists across Haryana and Delhi have joined the call for justice, urging the government to strengthen laws against crimes targeting women. They argue that despite repeated promises, cases like Manisha’s expose the systemic failure of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable women. Demands have also been raised for the immediate suspension of local police officials accused of mishandling the initial complaint, with activists stressing that accountability must start at the institutional level.

The Road Ahead

As protests intensify, the administration faces mounting pressure to deliver justice swiftly. Authorities have promised a fast-track investigation, but villagers remain skeptical until concrete action is taken. For many, this case has become a test of the state’s commitment to women’s safety. Whether the government can restore public faith will depend on how quickly the culprits are arrested and punished, and whether long-term reforms are implemented to prevent such tragedies in the future.

A shocking murder case has emerged from Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district, where the decomposed body of a man was found stuffed inside a drum on the rooftop of his rented accommodation. The grisly discovery was made late Sunday after residents of Adarsh Colony in Kishangarhbas complained of a foul smell coming from the house.

Police identified the deceased as Hansraj alias Suraj, originally from Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. He had been living in the area with his wife Sunita and their three children — eldest son Harshal, daughter Nandini, and youngest son Golu.

Gruesome Discovery on Rooftop

According to investigators, Hansraj had been residing in a rented rooftop room for nearly one and a half months while working at a nearby brick kiln. On Sunday, locals alerted authorities after noticing a strong stench from the rooftop.

When officers reached the spot, they discovered a large blue plastic drum, sealed and covered with a heavy stone. Upon opening it, police found Hansraj’s decomposed body inside. His throat bore a deep injury, apparently inflicted with a sharp weapon.

Adding to the horror, police noted that salt had been sprinkled over the corpse, apparently to hasten decomposition and mask the odor. DSP Rajendra Singh Nirwan confirmed this detail, stating that the circumstances strongly suggest foul play.

Family and Landlord’s Son Missing

The most disturbing twist in the case is the disappearance of Hansraj’s entire family and the landlord’s son. Since Saturday evening, Hansraj’s wife Sunita, their three children, and the landlord’s son Jitendra have all been untraceable.

DSP Nirwan revealed that Hansraj was known to be addicted to liquor and often drank with Jitendra. Police suspect that the events leading to the murder may have unfolded during one such drinking session. Both Jitendra and the family’s sudden disappearance have deepened suspicions of a larger conspiracy.

Police Investigation Underway

Upon receiving the complaint, senior police officers including DSP Rajendra Singh Nirwana, Station In-charge Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, and ASI Gyan Chand reached the location with a forensic team. The body was removed and sent for post-mortem examination at the district hospital.

Authorities have registered a case of murder and launched a search operation for the missing family members and the landlord’s son. Police teams are scanning nearby districts and inter-state routes to track down possible suspects.

The case has sent shockwaves through the locality, with residents expressing fear and disbelief at the brutal nature of the crime.

Chilling Parallels with Meerut Drum Murder Case

The incident bears eerie similarities to the infamous Meerut drum murder case from March 2025. In that case, merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput was brutally killed by his wife and her lover. His dismembered body was concealed inside a blue plastic drum filled with wet cement. The crime came to light only after the couple’s young daughter repeatedly told neighbors, “Papa drum mein hain” (Papa is in the drum).

The use of a drum in both cases, along with the attempts to conceal decomposition, highlights a disturbing trend in such murders. Police are also investigating whether there is any psychological or copycat element linking the two crimes.

Current Status

At present, police continue their search for Sunita, the children, and Jitendra. Investigators believe solving their disappearance could be the key to understanding the motive behind Hansraj’s murder. Meanwhile, the forensic report of the body is awaited, which may provide further clarity on the exact cause and time of death.

The case has not only raised questions about safety in rented accommodations but also stirred memories of past sensational crimes in the region.

Community in Shock

The gruesome discovery has left the residents of Adarsh Colony terrified. Neighbours who had initially complained of the foul smell said they never imagined such a brutal crime could unfold so close to their homes. Many recalled that Hansraj and his family had been living quietly in the rented rooftop room and rarely interacted with others. The sudden disappearance of the wife, children, and landlord’s son has intensified fear among locals, who are now demanding stricter tenant verification and regular police patrolling in the area.

Police Expanding the Probe

Police sources revealed that multiple teams are now tracing Hansraj’s call records and financial transactions to establish possible motives. Investigators are also questioning nearby shopkeepers and workers from the brick kiln where Hansraj was employed. Early suspicion points towards a possible family dispute or foul play involving the missing landlord’s son. Officials, however, have not ruled out other angles, including personal enmity or financial rivalry. Authorities have assured that every lead will be pursued until those missing are traced and the motive behind the killing is uncovered.