Heartbroken and Alone, 18-Year-Old Ends Her Life—Family Demands Justice

Preeti Kushwaha’s family alleges that a broken relationship with her distant cousin pushed her into depression.

New Delhi: Sunday seemed like an ordinary day for the Kushwaha family. Preeti, their youngest daughter, was home alone while her parents and siblings were out. In the evening, she called her mother, telling her she had made chapatis and wanted her to eat them when she returned. But what awaited the family was a heartbreaking tragedy—Preeti was found hanging from the ceiling fan.

The 18-year-old’s family now alleges that she took this extreme step after a painful breakup with her distant cousin, with whom she had secretly married.

A Secret Love Story

Preeti, who worked at a private firm in Delhi, first met the man during a family gathering in their hometown two years ago. Their bond grew quickly, and they allegedly got married in secret. This hidden chapter of her life came to light only after her death when a friend shared screenshots of their messages and personal photos.

In their chats, Preeti affectionately referred to him as “husband ji” (Mr. Husband), and an old conversation from April 2023 even mentioned his name as “Rinku Ji.” One of the pictures shows him applying vermilion (sindoor) on Preeti’s forehead, a traditional sign of marriage in Hindu culture.

The Sacrifice of Love

Preeti’s family was puzzled when she recently decided to shave her head, insisting that her hair was damaged. She had a heated argument with her sister Himani over this decision. Eventually, her brother, reluctant but unable to dissuade her, shaved her head at home.

After her death, the family learned the painful truth—Preeti had done this for her lover. He often complimented her and, in a possessive tone, asked, “You are so beautiful. What if someone else falls for you?” She believed sacrificing her long hair would prove her love and loyalty.

From Lovers to Strangers

The relationship took a tragic turn when the man suddenly cut all ties with Preeti and blocked her contact. Heartbroken and struggling with depression, she turned to social media to express her pain.

On March 13, she posted a video with the caption: “What if he doesn’t text me? He must remember me.”
By March 19, her words reflected growing emotional distance: “It used to matter before. Now, we don’t even look at each other.”

The Final Hours

On the day of her death, Preeti ordered pizza and a cold drink, perhaps as a small act of self-comfort before making her final decision. She made one last attempt to reach the man she loved, dialing his number—but he never answered.

She then called her mother, leaving behind words of care, unaware that it would be their last conversation.

A Family’s Fight for Justice

It has been over ten days since Preeti’s passing, but no action has been taken against the man who, her family believes, pushed her into this dark place. The Kushwaha family is still waiting for justice.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”