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A 23-year-old pregnant woman, Faseela, allegedly died by suicide at her husband’s house in Vellangallur, Thrissur, on Tuesday, July 29, after allegedly enduring prolonged physical and mental abuse from her husband, Noufal (29), and her mother-in-law, Ramla. Irinjalakuda police told TNM that they have arrested Noufal and his mother. Faseela’s death is the latest in a disturbing pattern of young Malayali women dying by suicide following domestic violence and abuse in marriage, dowry harassment, or both.
Hours before her death, Faseela sent WhatsApp messages to her mother describing the violence she faced. Screenshots show Faseela revealing that she was pregnant with her second child, further alleging that Noufal had kicked her in the belly and broken her hands. She also alleged constant verbal abuse from her mother-in-law. “I am going to die, or they will kill me,” she wrote in one of her final messages.
Faseela married Noufal about one and a half years ago, and the couple have a 10-month-old son. According to a relative who spoke to the media, Faseela had repeatedly complained to her family about the abuse but was told to “adjust,” saying such issues were "common in every household." The relative said the abuse intensified after Noufal learned about the pregnancy, which Faseela’s family was informed of only a day before her death.
Following a complaint by Faseela's father, Irinjalakuda police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Noufal and Ramla under Sections 108 (abetment to suicide), 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), and 3(5) (constructive liability in cases of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR states that both the accused had been subjecting Faseela to constant mental and physical abuse, and that Noufal’s act of kicking his pregnant wife in the stomach caused her mental agony, which ultimately drove her to take her own life. After the inquest at Thrissur Government Medical College, her body will be handed over to her family on July 30.
Fasila’s death follows a string of recent tragedies involving Malayali women in abusive marriages. Earlier in July, 29-year-old Athulya Satheesh, a Kollam native living in Sharjah, had died by suicide after years of alleged assault by her husband. Days before her death, she sent a desperate voice note to her sister. Around the same time, a 33-year-old woman and her toddler daughter were found dead in Sharjah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, with a scheduled Facebook post revealing years of dowry harassment and sexual violence.
Even in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, 27-year-old Rithanya died by suicide in June, just two months after her wedding, leaving behind emotional voice notes for her father about relentless abuse by her husband and in-laws.
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.
