How a Sri Lanka Honeymoon Dispute Led to Tragic Deaths of a Bengaluru Couple 1,000 km Apart
A devastating series of events spanning multiple cities ended in tragedy when 30-year-old Bengaluru resident Suraj Shivanna died by suicide in a Nagpur hotel in the early hours of Saturday. His death came just two days after his wife, Ganavi, died by suicide following intense marital discord that reportedly began during their honeymoon in Sri Lanka.
Suraj, a franchise owner of an online delivery service in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, had been under immense pressure after being named in a case of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. According to his family, public backlash and alleged threats forced them to flee Bengaluru, setting off a desperate road journey of nearly 1,000 km, with a brief halt in Hyderabad, before reaching Nagpur late Friday night.
Tragedy Unfolds In Nagpur Hotel
The family checked into a hotel under Sonegaon police limits around 9.30 pm on Friday. A few hours later, at around 12.30 am, Suraj was found hanging in his room by his mother, Jayanti (60). Shocked and distraught, she reportedly attempted to end her life as well, but survived after the noose snapped.
Her cries alerted hotel staff, who informed Suraj’s elder brother, Sanjay Shivanna (36). Sanjay rushed to the room and later filed a police complaint. Suraj was taken to AIIMS, Nagpur, where doctors declared him dead at around 3 am. As per the FIR, Suraj used a dupatta (scarf) to hang himself from the ceiling fan.
“We Had No Option But To Escape Bengaluru”
Sanjay told police that the family had fled Bengaluru after facing severe intimidation from Ganavi’s relatives.
“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,” he said.
The family left Bengaluru on December 25, drove to Hyderabad, and then continued to Nagpur, reaching the city late Friday night, where they booked two rooms at the hotel.
Marriage, Honeymoon And Growing Rift
Suraj and Ganavi, an MBA graduate, were married in an arranged ceremony in Bengaluru on October 29. Family sources said the wedding was lavish, but claimed Ganavi was reluctant and had been pressured into the marriage by her aunt.
The couple soon left for a 10-day honeymoon to Sri Lanka, but their relationship reportedly began to unravel within days. During the trip, discussions about Ganavi’s pre-marital friendship allegedly led to heated arguments. Family members claimed she expressed disinterest in continuing the marriage, further widening the emotional gap between the couple. They cut short the trip and returned to Bengaluru after five days.
Failed Attempts At Reconciliation
After returning home, family members tried to intervene and resolve the issues. Sanjay said he personally attempted to mediate.
“I tried to broker peace, assuring the couple the matter would be sorted soon, but they didn't listen,” he recalled.
That same night, Ganavi left Suraj’s home and went to her father’s house. Hours later, she was found hanging, sending shockwaves through both families.
Allegations And Mounting Pressure
Ganavi’s death triggered strong reactions from her family, who accused Suraj and his relatives of torturing her for dowry. Acting on the allegations, Bengaluru police registered a case against the Shivanna family, intensifying the pressure on them.
Sanjay, however, has firmly denied the accusations. Speaking to TOI, he said,
“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,” referring to the in-laws’ alleged visit to their Bengaluru home on December 22.
Probe Continues
Suraj’s post-mortem report is awaited to rule out any foul play. Police in Nagpur and Bengaluru are coordinating closely as investigations continue into both deaths.
What began as a troubled marriage escalated into a tragic sequence of events marked by allegations, fear and emotional turmoil leaving two families devastated and raising difficult questions about conflict, pressure and the fragile human cost behind such cases.
Suraj, a franchise owner of an online delivery service in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, had been under immense pressure after being named in a case of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. According to his family, public backlash and alleged threats forced them to flee Bengaluru, setting off a desperate road journey of nearly 1,000 km, with a brief halt in Hyderabad, before reaching Nagpur late Friday night.
Tragedy Unfolds In Nagpur Hotel
The family checked into a hotel under Sonegaon police limits around 9.30 pm on Friday. A few hours later, at around 12.30 am, Suraj was found hanging in his room by his mother, Jayanti (60). Shocked and distraught, she reportedly attempted to end her life as well, but survived after the noose snapped.
Her cries alerted hotel staff, who informed Suraj’s elder brother, Sanjay Shivanna (36). Sanjay rushed to the room and later filed a police complaint. Suraj was taken to AIIMS, Nagpur, where doctors declared him dead at around 3 am. As per the FIR, Suraj used a dupatta (scarf) to hang himself from the ceiling fan.
“We Had No Option But To Escape Bengaluru”
Sanjay told police that the family had fled Bengaluru after facing severe intimidation from Ganavi’s relatives.
“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,” he said.
The family left Bengaluru on December 25, drove to Hyderabad, and then continued to Nagpur, reaching the city late Friday night, where they booked two rooms at the hotel.
Marriage, Honeymoon And Growing Rift
Suraj and Ganavi, an MBA graduate, were married in an arranged ceremony in Bengaluru on October 29. Family sources said the wedding was lavish, but claimed Ganavi was reluctant and had been pressured into the marriage by her aunt.
The couple soon left for a 10-day honeymoon to Sri Lanka, but their relationship reportedly began to unravel within days. During the trip, discussions about Ganavi’s pre-marital friendship allegedly led to heated arguments. Family members claimed she expressed disinterest in continuing the marriage, further widening the emotional gap between the couple. They cut short the trip and returned to Bengaluru after five days.
Failed Attempts At Reconciliation
After returning home, family members tried to intervene and resolve the issues. Sanjay said he personally attempted to mediate.
“I tried to broker peace, assuring the couple the matter would be sorted soon, but they didn't listen,” he recalled.
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That same night, Ganavi left Suraj’s home and went to her father’s house. Hours later, she was found hanging, sending shockwaves through both families.
Allegations And Mounting Pressure
Ganavi’s death triggered strong reactions from her family, who accused Suraj and his relatives of torturing her for dowry. Acting on the allegations, Bengaluru police registered a case against the Shivanna family, intensifying the pressure on them.
Sanjay, however, has firmly denied the accusations. Speaking to TOI, he said,
“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,” referring to the in-laws’ alleged visit to their Bengaluru home on December 22.
Probe Continues
Suraj’s post-mortem report is awaited to rule out any foul play. Police in Nagpur and Bengaluru are coordinating closely as investigations continue into both deaths.
What began as a troubled marriage escalated into a tragic sequence of events marked by allegations, fear and emotional turmoil leaving two families devastated and raising difficult questions about conflict, pressure and the fragile human cost behind such cases.
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