Tragic Death of Kerala Woman in UAE

A 29-year-old woman from Kerala, identified as Athulya, was found dead in her apartment in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Saturday. Her family has accused her husband, Satheesh, of harassing her over dowry demands. Athulya and Satheesh married in 2014 when she was just 14 years old. The family alleges that Satheesh physically assaulted Athulya, including choking her, kicking her stomach, and hitting her head with a plate between July 18 and July 19, which they believe led to her untimely death.

Dowry Harassment Allegations

Athulya’s family claims that she faced continuous harassment over dowry since her marriage. They reportedly provided Satheesh with over 40 sovereigns of gold and a motorcycle as part of the dowry. Despite these offerings, the harassment allegedly persisted. A murder case has now been filed against Satheesh as the investigation into Athulya’s death continues.

Rising Cases of Dowry-Related Suicides

This incident is not isolated. Earlier this month, another woman from Kerala, Vipanchika Maniyan, was found dead alongside her toddler in Sharjah. The police have filed a case against her husband and in-laws following allegations of abuse and dowry harassment. A handwritten note believed to be from Maniyan detailed emotional distress and abuse. Her family accuses her husband and his family of physical and mental harassment since their marriage in 2020.

Widespread Issue Across Regions

In a separate incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, a woman named Manisha died by suicide after alleged dowry harassment by her husband Kundan and his family. Married in 2023, Manisha left a suicide note on her body expressing the pain caused by repeated demands for a car and cash despite already providing a Bullet motorcycle as dowry.

Support for Victims

These tragic cases highlight the ongoing issue of dowry harassment leading to severe consequences for women. Support is available through helplines like the Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health and TISS iCall for those affected by similar situations.