Kerala Woman Found Dead Days After Alleged Dowry Harassment

Kerala woman Dowry Harassment Case: A 24-year-old woman was found dead on Monday in Sasthamnada near Sasthamkotta in Kollam district at her husband’s house. Vismaya V Nair died two days after she informed her cousin that her husband had beaten her up, multiple times, over the car presented to him as part of a dowry.

Trigger warning: The contents of this article are about physical abuse, harassment

The Kerala woman, who was a final year Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery student, got married to S Kiran Kumar, an official at the Motor Vehicle Department, in March last year.

As per reports, Vismaya claimed that she had been assaulted and her husband stamped on her face. She also informed her cousin in the text messages that she hasn’t informed anyone about the severe assault yet. The images acquired from the woman’s cousin show injuries on her face, hands and shoulder. As per a quote by Vismaya's cousin given to TNM, the woman was worried about what would people say she left Kiran Kumar and came back to her parents for good.

On Monday night, Kiran Kumar reportedly surrendered before the Sooranad police. A complaint was also filed by Vismaya's family against Kumar and the police have registered a case against him, according to reports. Kumar is currently going through questioning regarding the case.

Vismaya’s family has alleged that it was a murder and harassment over dowry and registered a complaint with the police. Kerala Women's Commission has taken a case suo motto on the woman’s death. The victim’s father Thrivrikaman Nair informed that they had given 100 sovereigns, one acre of land and a Toyota Yaris car as part of the dowry. However, her husband allegedly wanted cash instead of the car and went on to insist Vismaya’s family sell the car.

Nair told TNM that they were aware that their daughter was being assaulted. He further informed them that Kiran once came home drunk and beat up his wife. Later, when Vismaya’s brother questioned him about it, he hit him too. The family then reported the incident to the patrol police who then had an altercation with the accused following which he was taken to the police station.

"However, the Circle Inspector and Kiran’s family called us for a compromise. My son said that let’s let it go this time. After that my daughter stayed at my home. But two months ago, when she went to college (Pandalam NSS), to write her BAMS exams, Kiran picked her up and took her to his home. She didn't come home after that,” he said.

The woman’s father also claimed he got to know about the continuous harassment recently as his daughter would call only her mother about it.  Two days ago she messaged a relative to take her home when Kiran went to work.

The family recently discovered the Whatsapp conversations between Vismaya and the cousin, detailing the abuse she faced.

Vijith P Nair, Vismaya's brother, alleged that it was a murder and pleaded to the government to give them justice. He informed the Women’s Commission about the harassment that Vismaya used to face. A case was registered as soon as they got information about the dowry harassment.

"The Women's Commission has asked Kollam Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) to submit a report. We have also asked to have the post mortem done at a hospital chosen by the woman's family," said Shahida Kamal who registered the case.

"Since the marriage is within ten years it will be a case of dowry harassment even if her death is by suicide," she added.

Rural SP KB Ravi a case has been registered under section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and an investigation has been initiated as well. The Sooranadu Station House Officer informed that further investigations will be taken up once the post mortem is complete. Meanwhile, Vismaya's body has been taken to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for autopsy.