The Kerala police arrested a man three days after his wife died by suicide, allegedly due to his physical and mental harassment over her appearance and lack of a job. It is also alleged that he had made dowry demands. The accused, identified as Prabhin, is a native of Manjeri in Malappuram district and was working as a staff nurse at Manjeri Medical College. His wife, 25-year-old Vishnuja, was found dead at his house on January 30.
Vishnuja and Prabhin got married in 2023 in an arranged marriage. Vishnuja’s father, Vasudevan, told the media that Prabhin used to emotionally and physically torture her by criticising her appearance, pressuring her to find a job immediately, and making dowry demands.
“She endured a lot. He used to tell her she looked very thin and that her appearance wasn’t good. He would not even let her travel in his vehicle, claiming she was unattractive. In the first week of their marriage, he told her to secure a job immediately. He told her that she can’t expect to live off his salary. She wrote a few exams after her marriage, but she failed to find employment. She tried very hard, but she couldn’t,” he said.
Vasudevan added that Vishnuja had not informed her family about the harassment. After her demise, it was her friends who revealed the extent of problems she had been facing, he said.
“She was a strong girl. Even when we faced personal issues, she was the one who supported us. But she never allowed us to intervene in her marital issues. She refused to reveal any details of what was happening to her, and even when we wanted to help her, she kept insisting she would change him,” he said.
Vishnuja’s family also alleged that Prabhin’s family supported his behaviour. “He is a dangerous criminal. My daughter needs justice,” Vasudevan said.
According to the Manjeri police, Prabhin was booked under sections 85 (cruelty against married women by their husbands or in-laws) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhitha (BNS).
This incident is eerily similar to another recent case in Kondotty, where the Kerala police arrested 25-year-old Abdul Vahid in connection with the suicide of his wife, Shahana Mumthas, who died on January 14. Shahana, a 19-year-old student, was also allegedly harassed by her husband over her appearance and complexion, which is said to have led to her taking her own life.
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.