Kerala woman and baby found dead in Sharjah: Police file FIR against husband and in-laws
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Kerala Police have booked Nidheesh, his sister, and his father on charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide, after his 33-year-old wife and their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter were found dead in their apartment in Sharjah on July 8. The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered by the Kundara Police in Kerala’s Kollam district, based on a complaint by the woman’s mother, Shylaja.
The accused have been charged under Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives) and Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
According to the FIR, the woman was subjected to sustained mental and physical abuse over dowry demands. The harassment reportedly escalated after she publicly confronted her husband over suspected extramarital affairs. Police allege this mistreatment ultimately drove her to take her own life.
After her death, a scheduled Facebook post appeared on her profile, containing a suicide note, personal diary entries, and photographs showing injuries on her body. The post detailed years of alleged abuse, dowry-related harassment, and her husband's indifference, even after she raised accusations of inappropriate behavior by her father-in-law. The post was later deleted under unclear circumstances.
The woman’s family also submitted separate complaints to the UAE Embassy, the Chief Minister of Kerala, and the Kollam City Police Commissioner, urging action against the accused.
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.