Vismaya Dowry Death Case: Kerala HC Refuses To Suspend Husband's Sentence

The Kerala High Court dismissed the application filed by Kiran Kumar, the convict in the dowry death case of his wife, Vismaya. Kumar was seeking an interim order for suspension of his 10 year sentence.

The application was moved in a Criminal Appeal against his conviction and sentence handed to him in May 2022.

The 22-year-old Vismaya N Nair was found dead in her matrimonial home under mysterious circumstances last year. She allegedly died by suicide after facing harassment over dowry.

In May 2022, the Kollam Additional Session court found Vismaya's husband Kiran Kumar guilty of abetment of suicide. Kumar was convicted under the Indian Penal Code's Section 498A (subjecting a woman to cruelty for dowry), Section 306 (abetment of suicide) and Section 304B (dowry death) among others.

Kumar was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 12.5 lakh rupees.

On Tuesday, November 13, the Kerala High Court dismissed Kumar's application seeking an interim order for suspension of his 10 years sentence. He sought suspension of the execution of the sentence and release on bail.

Suggested Reading: Kerala Woman Vismaya's Husband Kiran Kumar Abetted Her Suicide, Gets Jailed For 10 Years

Vismaya Dowry Death Case

Vismaya N Nair, the student of Bachelor of Medicine, Ayurveda and Surgery died at her matrimonial home in Kollam, Kerala.

Vismaya and Kumar got engaged on September 12, 2019, and got married eight months later, on May 31, 2020.

Reportedly, nine days after their marriage Vismaya spoke with her father about the alleged abuse she faced.

As per the charge sheet filed by the Kerala police, Kumar began abusing her the day after their marriage because he did not get a Honda City car, which he demanded as part of the dowry.

Vismaya's father, Thrivikraman Nair said that their family gave 100 sovereigns (800 grams of gold), one acre of land, and a Toyota Yaris car as dowry. Nair alleged Kumar wanted a different car, over which he harassed Vismaya.

Reportedly, months later the two had an argument in a car while they returned from shopping. The argument resulted in Kumar stopping the car and physically assaulting her.

The Kerala police wrote in its charge sheet that Vismaya died by suicide following harassment by Kumar over dowry.