Praval Gupta, son of a BJP leader, died by suicide in Meerut on Sunday after consuming poison. In a video, he blamed his wife, Sneha Gupta, for mental harassment and property disputes. He said, "I am going to end my life today." The couple married on November 2 last year.
A 26-year-old man died after consuming a poisonous substance in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut on Sunday, a day before his first wedding anniversary. Before his death, the man, identified as Praval Gupta, recorded a video blaming his wife, Sneha Gupta, and her family members, accusing them of physical assault, mental harassment and pressuring him to transfer property in her name.
In the video, Praval, the son of Rajiv Gupta, the BJP's Kankarkhera mandal vice-president, said, "I am going to end my life today. The main reason behind such a big decision is my wife, Sneha Gupta, and her family." The two got married on November 2, last year.
He alleged that his wife physically assaulted him and his family members and pressured him to transfer property in her name. He also said that she deliberately gave him burnt rotis (flatbread) and picked fights with him when he complained about the food. He further claimed that she repeatedly pressured him to move out of his parents' house and live separately with her.
According to Praval's account in the video, he eventually moved away from his family and began living separately with his wife. However, after the birth of their daughter, he wanted to return to his parental home. He alleged that Sneha opposed the decision, abused him and created disputes over his return.
He further claimed that when he called his mother to help take care of Sneha and their newborn daughter, his wife physically assaulted his mother. Praval also alleged that although he handed over his entire salary to his wife, she continued to mistreat his parents. He accused her of misbehaving with his sister and questioning her character when she visited their home with their mother.
Praval, who worked at a private company in Ghaziabad, also alleged that his wife, under the influence of her father, Rajan Gupta, threatened to implicate him in multiple cases through false allegations. He claimed that his in-laws had repeatedly threatened him with fabricated accusations.
On October 31, Praval and his family members were called for counselling at the Family Counselling Centre in the police lines. Referring to the proceedings, he said his wife had accused him of consuming alcohol or drugs, assaulting her and using abusive language. He denied the allegations and, in turn, accused her of abusing and physically assaulting him.
On November 1, Praval allegedly consumed a poisonous substance and was found unconscious in Meerut's Cantonment area. Police reached the spot, identified him and informed his family. He was initially admitted to Kailash Hospital and later referred to a higher medical facility after his condition deteriorated. However, he died during treatment at around 9.30 pm.
PARENTS SEEK ACTION AGAINST WIFE
Praval's death left his parents devastated. His father, Rajiv Gupta, said the tragedy was particularly painful as he had taken his son's wedding procession on the same date a year earlier.
In an emotional account, Rajiv said that while the family had celebrated his son's wedding anniversary the previous year, he was now having to take part in another procession following his death.
Praval's mother, Kiran Gupta, also accused her daughter-in-law of repeatedly pressuring her son to move away from his parents. She claimed that when Praval tried to persuade his wife to return, she refused and allegedly told him to go ahead and die.
Kiran further alleged that her daughter-in-law did not participate in household chores and would spend hours talking on her phone behind a closed door. She demanded strict punishment for everyone involved and said she wanted to raise her granddaughter.
WHAT POLICE SAID
Senior cop in the area, Shiv Thakur, said police received information on November 1 that a man had attempted to die by suicide after consuming a substance in the Kankarkhera police station area.
He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he died during treatment, the officer said.
During the investigation, police found that Praval had married about a year ago and had been facing marital differences with his wife. The couple was also undergoing counselling at the Family Counselling Centre in the police lines.
"All aspects of the matter are being investigated. Further legal action will be taken in the case soon," Thakur said.