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Nearly a month after Kollam native Athulya (30) died by suicide in Sharjah, allegedly due to spousal abuse, the Kerala police took her husband into custody on Sunday, August 10. Satheesh (40) was detained by the Valiyathura police at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport when he landed there from Sharjah. He was handed over to the Thekkumbhagam police, where the case against him was registered.
Athulya was found dead inside her house in Rolla, Sharjah on July 18. In the days leading up to her death, she sent a voice note to her sister describing repeated instances of physical and emotional abuse by her husband.
Following her death, Athulya’s parents alleged she had endured severe abuse from Satheesh and filed a complaint of foul play in her death. The Chavara Thekkumbhagam police have charged Satheesh under sections related to murder, cruelty against women, voluntarily causing hurt, grievous hurt using dangerous weapons, and dowry harassment under Indian law. The Kollam crime branch is currently investigating the case.
Satheesh travelled to Kerala after the Kollam District Court granted him anticipatory bail, as the death certificate issued by the Indian Consulate in Dubai did not indicate any foul play in Athulya’s death.
Speaking to the media after Athulya’s death, Satheesh accepted that he used to physically abuse his wife. “I won’t claim that I didn’t beat her. I did that when I was drunk. But I didn’t do that every day,” adding that he beat her “out of love”. He also said that these were personal matters, something that happens in every home.
Following the news and the case against him, Satheesh was fired from his job on July 21.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.