25-Year-Old Bengaluru Techie Dies by Suicide After Uncle Blackmailed Her With ‘Private’ Videos

A 25-year-old software engineer, Suhasi Singh, died by suicide on January 12 in Bengaluru, following allegations of blackmail and harassment by her uncle-in-law, Praveen Singh. The tragic incident took place at a hotel on ITPL Main Road in KR Puram.

Praveen Singh, who works for a private firm, allegedly recorded intimate moments with Suhasi and saved the footage on his phone and a pen drive. He later used these recordings to blackmail her, threatening to release the videos to her parents unless she complied with his demands.

Suhasi had been staying with Praveen, his wife, and their family at SVS Paradise Apartment in KR Puram. Their relationship became physical over time, with the two often traveling together. However, Suhasi grew closer to another man and began distancing herself from Praveen.

Upset over this development, Praveen reportedly became more aggressive, discovering their interactions through WhatsApp chats. He allegedly escalated the harassment, making threatening calls and demanding that Suhasi meet him at a hotel room he had booked on ITPL Main Road.

Unable to cope with the pressure, Suhasi purchased petrol from a nearby station, went to the hotel, and set herself on fire after yet another round of blackmail. Praveen attempted to extinguish the flames by taking her to the bathroom and turning on the shower, but Suhasi had already suffered severe burns. She was rushed to Victoria Hospital but succumbed to her injuries at 10:00 pm.

The HAL police arrested Praveen Singh on charges of abetment to suicide. Investigations revealed that he had used the intimate recordings to coerce Suhasi into maintaining their physical relationship, threatening to make the footage public.

Whitefield Division DCP Shivakumar commented on the case, saying, "A 25-year-old woman died by suicide within the jurisdiction of the HAL police station. A case has been registered in connection with the incident. The accused had blackmailed the woman using private photos to coerce her into a physical relationship. Unable to bear the harassment, the woman took the extreme step."

The DCP further explained that Suhasi and Praveen had known each other for six years and initially shared a cordial relationship. However, Praveen's recent harassment drove her to take the drastic step. "The accused booked a room at Radha Hotel and threatened to make her private photos and videos viral. The victim, unable to withstand the harassment, purchased petrol and set herself on fire," he added.