Kerala: Woman Found Dead In Alleged Dowry Harassment Case, Second In Two Days

Kerala dowry death: A 24-year-old woman was found dead in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram in a case of alleged dowry harassment, reports said Tuesday.

The woman's immolated body was discovered at the flat she resided in with her husband, whom her family has reportedly accused of driving her to suicide. The husband has been taken into police custody for questioning. A case has not been registered yet.

Shockingly, this is the second such case reported from the state consecutively within two days. Reports of the death of another 22-year-old made national headlines June 21. Vismaya Nair, the victim, was found dead in Kerala days after complaining of domestic violence and alleged dowry harassment. Her husband on Tuesday surrendered to the police. More on that here.

Second Kerala Dowry Death Sends Shockwaves

The immolated woman has been identified as one Archana, as per The News Minute. She reportedly died on the night of June 21 at her rented flat in Vizhinjam.

Her husband, Suresh, had a diesel can with him the same night. As per local reports, Suresh allegedly fled the spot soon after his wife's death and the neighbours took her body to hospital.

Suresh has refuted claims of using the fuel to immolate his wife and as per reports, said he brought it to kill ants.

The deceased's family has alleged the couple's marriage was abusive and that Suresh would fight with her when intoxicated. "I have met her a couple of times and she was crying. Why did he buy the diesel? My daughter didn't die by suicide, she was killed," Archana's father was quoted saying.

Archana and Suresh's was a love marriage. She was a nursing graduate but her family claims he did not allow her to work after marriage. There were allegations of Suresh's family demanding three lakh rupees from Archana as dowry.