Two young women from Nepal, identified as Sirjana (22) and Rita (23), allegedly died by suicide in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, on Thursday, 7 August, after their families reportedly prevented them from living together. Preliminary police investigations indicate the two were in a relationship and believed they had no future together due to sustained social and family pressure, according to officers from the Yelahanka Police Station.

Background and Relationship

According to police, Sirjana and Rita were relatives who had grown up together in Nepal, studied at the same institution, and had been close since childhood. Over time, they reportedly fell in love, but their relationship allegedly drew ridicule and pressure from people in their native village, where they were frequently taunted over their closeness.

Hoping to separate the two, their families brought both women to Bengaluru approximately a month before the incident. Rather than allowing them to stay together, the families allegedly housed them in different parts of the city — Rita in Fraser Town and Sirjana in Jakkur, several kilometres apart.

Circumstances Leading to the Deaths

Despite the forced separation, the two reportedly continued to meet three to four times a week, often gathering for lunch at a relative's home. During these meetings, family members allegedly discussed plans to arrange marriages for both women with men, and told them that society would never accept their relationship.

Preliminary findings suggest the combination of enforced separation, pressure to enter arranged marriages, and social disapproval drove the two women to take the extreme step, according to police. The bodies of both women were found hanging from a tree opposite Kisar Hotel on Jakkur Road in Shivanahalli, Yelahanka.

Discovery and Police Response

The incident came to light when passersby noticed the bodies and alerted the authorities. Officers from the Yelahanka Police Station rushed to the scene, conducted a preliminary inspection, and arranged for the bodies to be shifted for post-mortem examination.

Police noted that the two had initially been staying at the residence of Sirjana's brother in Yelahanka after arriving from Nepal about a month ago, before being moved to separate localities. The exact ages of the deceased — reported variously as 22 and 23 in initial accounts — are being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigation Status

A case has been registered and investigators are recording statements from family members and relatives to establish the sequence of events. Police have clarified that findings regarding the women's relationship and the alleged family opposition are based on preliminary inquiry, and further evidence is being gathered. The investigation remains open.

This case has drawn attention to the pressures faced by same-sex couples in South Asian communities, where social stigma and family opposition can have severe consequences. Authorities have not yet ruled out any angle, and a final determination of the circumstances awaits the completion of the post-mortem and further statements.