Social Media Influencer Found Dead Amid Dowry Harassment Allegations
The tragic death of social media influencer Manasi has raised serious allegations of dowry harassment and murder against her husband and in-laws. Found dead in Lucknow, her family claims that they orchestrated her death to appear as a suicide due to unmet demands for a car. The police have initiated a case against six individuals, including her husband, following a formal complaint from her family. This incident has sparked public protests and highlighted ongoing issues related to dowry practices in India. Read on to learn more about this developing story.
Jun 1, 2026, 15:40 IST
Tragic Death of Influencer Raises Dowry Concerns
A social media influencer named Manasi was discovered deceased under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws' residence in Lucknow. Her family alleges that her husband, Sagar Rajput, along with other family members, murdered her due to unmet demands for a car. They claim that after the murder, her body was hanged to make it appear as a suicide.
Allegations of Abuse Since Marriage
According to the FIR filed by the police, Manasi, originally from Kanpur, married Sagar Rajput in 2024. Both were quite active on social media, with Sagar boasting around 800,000 followers on Instagram. Manasi's family asserts that they provided cash gifts worth 700,000 rupees and other household items during the wedding, but Sagar's family was reportedly dissatisfied.
Demands for a Car and Continuous Torture
Manasi's family claims that her in-laws persistently demanded dowry, particularly a car. Since the marriage, she faced taunts and humiliation for not bringing enough dowry. Allegations suggest that she was subjected to both mental and physical abuse when these demands were not met. Manasi had confided in her family about her ordeal, prompting them to visit Lucknow multiple times to resolve the issues.
Legal Action Against Six Individuals
On Saturday, Manasi's family received news of her alleged suicide, which they vehemently deny, asserting it was a planned murder. According to police officials, based on the victim's family's written complaint, a case of dowry murder has been registered against six individuals, including her husband Sagar Rajput, father-in-law Rajesh, brother-in-law Anu, sisters-in-law Barkha and Chandni, and aunt-in-law Asha. The main suspect, Sagar Rajput, is currently in custody for questioning.
Public Outcry and Protests
#WATCH | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Social media influencer Manasi dies under suspicious circumstances. Family alleges dowry harassment, accusing husband Sagar Rajput & in-laws of torture and murder disguised as suicide. Protest staged today in Kanpur.
— Media House (@MediaHouse) June 1, 2026
Priyanka Verma, the elder… pic.twitter.com/ZwdTfOTw18