Melina, 19, of Dindigul district, who married Senthilvelan of Samayanallur after meeting him on social media, was found dead at her house on Sunday.
Her mother, Punitha Arokiya Mary, lodged a complaint with Samayanallur police raising suspicion over her death.
Police said Melina, who was the second daughter of Punitha, got introduced to Senthilvelan on social media about 18 months ago while she was studying in Tiruchi. She married him without her family’s knowledge and they were living in Samayanallur. The couple has a three-month-old daughter.
Melina had been complaining to her mother over phone that Senthilvelan was harassing her under the influence of alcohol and she could not bear it anymore. Even as her mother tried to pacify her, she took the extreme step.
Meanwhile, another married woman, Priyadarshini, who attempted to end her life, died at Government Rajaji Hospital on Sunday.
The family members, who had lodged a complaint of harassment against the woman’s husband and in-laws, staged a protest demanding immediate arrest of the accused.
Police said that based on an earlier complaint of harassment, Sellur police had registered a case and the husband and other in-laws were on conditional bail. An RDO enquiry had been ordered into the woman’s death as it had occurred within seven years of marriage. Based on the RDO report, further action would taken, the police said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)
Published – August 31, 2025 10:09 pm IST
