Anniversary turns tragic, woman sucked into ocean while exchanging rings with hubby

The incident occurred immediately after the couple cut a cake in front of their friends and relatives on the beach.

The deceased was identified as Veni Shaila, 27, of Nayeniappan Street in Kayedha Patarai, Vellore district. She had been working as a nurse in Vellore CMC and was married to Vignesh, who works in textile firm in Vellore, two years ago. The couple has a one-year-old child.

On their second wedding anniversary, the couple made plans to visit the Palavakkam beach and reached the seashore late after a movie and dinner. Even as the police at the beach asked the couple to stay away from the water, the two waded quite a bit into the water. “As they were exchanging rings, a huge wave sucked both of them into the ocean,” a police officer said.

Police said that friends and family members of the two had reached there in five cars. “After cutting the cake just before midnight, the couple told the police that they would like to exchange the rings standing in water,” a police officer recalled.

The couple had waded hip-deep into the water while others were taking a video. When Veni Shaila tried to open the ring box, a huge wave sucked her into the sea as others watched helplessly. Vignesh managed to run to the shore while Veni disappeared. Policemen on the spot, with the help of fisherman, took a boat and ventured to the sea but could not locate her.

Shaila’s body washed ashore at Kottivakkam beach at 2 am and was sent to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police said an enquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has been ordered into the incident. The Neelankarai police have registered a case.