Suraj was found hanging in a hotel room in Nagpur’s Sonegaon area around 12.30am. His mother, Jayanti, discovered him and attempted suicide herself, but survived after the noose snapped. Doctors at AIIMS, Nagpur, later declared Suraj dead around 3am.
Late-night check-in, early morning tragedy
According to police, Suraj checked into the hotel with his family at about 9.30pm on Friday after travelling from Bengaluru via Hyderabad. The family had driven nearly 1,000 km over two days to reach Nagpur.
As per the FIR, Suraj hanged himself from the ceiling fan using a dupatta. After Jayanti raised an alarm, hotel staff alerted Suraj’s elder brother, Sanjay Shivanna, who then informed the police.
Family says threats forced them out of Bengaluru
Sanjay, a businessman from Vidyaranyapura in Bengaluru, told police the family fled the city fearing for their safety after Suraj was named in a dowry harassment case linked to his wife Ganavi’s death.
“Around 30 people stormed our house at Vijayanagar, searching for Suraj, who was named in an FIR for dowry harassment. We were traumatised and in fear. We had no option but to escape Bengaluru,” said Sanjay.
He said the family left Bengaluru on December 25, reached Hyderabad the same day, and drove to Nagpur the following night.
Marriage, honeymoon and growing rift
Suraj, a franchise owner of an online delivery service in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, married Ganavi, an MBA graduate, on October 29 in what family sources described as a lavish arranged wedding. Sources said Ganavi was reportedly reluctant about the marriage and was pressured into it by her aunt.
The couple left for a 10-day honeymoon to Sri Lanka, but returned to Bengaluru after just five days. Family sources said arguments broke out during the trip after discussions about Ganavi’s pre-marital friendship.
They added that Ganavi expressed disinterest in continuing the marriage, deepening the conflict. After returning to Bengaluru, family members tried to mediate, but failed.
“I tried to broker peace, assuring the couple the matter would be sorted soon, but they didn’t listen,” Sanjay recounted.
That night, Ganavi went to her father’s house and was later found hanging. Her family accused Suraj and his relatives of harassing her for dowry.
Dowry allegations denied
Bengaluru police registered a case against Suraj and his family, escalating the pressure on them. Speaking to TOI, Sanjay strongly denied the allegations.
“We did not make any demands. We covered all wedding expenses. It’s shocking on their part to hurl such allegations. Instead, Ganavi’s family had begun issuing death threats to us. My brother was scared and apologetic,” Sanjay said, referring to an alleged visit by the in-laws to their Bengaluru home on December 22.
Probe continues across states
Police said Suraj’s autopsy report is awaited to rule out foul play. Authorities in Nagpur and Bengaluru are coordinating as part of the investigation.
The twin tragedies have left two families shattered, raising uncomfortable questions about social pressure, online outrage, and how quickly personal disputes can spiral into irreversible loss.
(Source: YOU)