Kerala: 24-Year-Old Medical Student Dies due to Dowry Harassment

KERALA: Vismaya's family has accused her husband, S Kiran Kumar, an assistant motor vehicle inspector, of torturing and harassing her over dowry. Kumar, in particular, used to constantly attack Vismaya's father, claiming that he deserved more money based on his status but only received a little amount. 

Vismaya, a 24-year-old Ayurveda Medical Student allegedly killed herself in the washroom of her in-law's residence

The murder of a medical student in Kerala at her husband's home, reportedly as a result of dowry demands, has caused public outrage. Vismaya, a 24-year-old Ayurveda medical student, allegedly committed suicide in the washroom of her husband's residence in the Sasthamkotta region in south Kerala on Monday. 

The woman's family claims that her husband, S Kiran Kumar, an assistant motor vehicle inspector, tortured and harassed her over dowry. The police detained Kumar and prosecuted him under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code a day after the woman was discovered dead. Kumar was arrested last night on the basis of a complaint filed by her relatives. 

Vismaya's family claimed that their daughter was assaulted, abused, and tortured in her in-law's residence citing continuous torture by Kumar's family. 

Vismaya sent an SOS to her family in a series of WhatsApp messages a day before the event, alleging that Kumar was harassing her over dowry. 

Vismaya allegedly posted photographs of the wounds and marks of beatings on her body as a result of Kumar's recent extreme physical abuse. 

Vismaya was abused and tortured because her husband did not like the car was given to him by Vismaya's father as dowry

Vismaya stated in the WhatsApp conversation that her husband did not appreciate the car her father had given her as dowry and used to punish her over it. Vismaya said she was dragged by her hair and stamped on the face because of dowry. Kumar, in particular, used to verbally abuse Vismaya's father, claiming that he deserved more money based on his status but only received a little amount.

Vismaya's father, Thrivikraman Nair, said that their family had handed 100 sovereigns of gold and over one-acre property as dowry to Kumar at their wedding in 2020, according to PTI.

Nair went on to say that Kumar had attacked his daughter in front of him over the dowry demand. 

"But he did not like the car and wanted ₹10 lakh as cash instead. As I said it was not possible, he used to torture my daughter. He had beaten Vismaya in front of us after coming to our home at midnight last January, he said.

Vismaya's father claims she was murdered by her in-law's and did not commit suicide

Nair claims that his daughter would never commit suicide and that Kumar's relatives murdered her.

Kumar was suspended from employment by the State Transport Department shortly after the event was reported. Kumar was brought into police custody on Monday night and detained the next morning on dowry death allegations.

Other legal actions would be taken against Kumar when the post-mortem report is completed, he added. Kumar will now be brought before the court, and his custody will be requested later as further investigation is needed. The participation of his family in the event will also be investigated, according to police. 

The event, according to state police head Loknath Behera, has rocked people's consciences in Kerala. He promised severe judicial repercussions for anyone allegedly engaged in the events that led to the woman's death.

According to Behera, Inspector General of Police Harshitha Attalluri would lead the inquiry, which will include all top police officers. "It is a very sad incident which has affected the conscience of Kerala. Such incidents are very rare in our society, which is a tolerant and advanced society," he said.  

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