A 24-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide after drinking a toxic cleaning agent in front of her in-laws in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, police said on Sunday.
The incident was reported on late Saturday in Kasaragod’s Panalam. Police suspect it to be a case of mental harassment by the husband and mother-in-law, based on the complaint made by deceased’s family.
A case has been registered at the Vidyanagar police station based on a complaint filed by deceased’s brother. An inspector told HT that the woman’s husband is detained and will be formally arrested soon.
“It’s been alleged by the woman’s family that she was regularly mentally harassed over dowry and other matters by her husband and mother-in-law. On Saturday, she was physically assaulted by the husband, and her phone was snatched away when she tried to contact her family,” officer told HT.
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“Later, the woman went to the neighbour’s house and managed to call her family, who agreed to come. After her brother and other family members arrived, an argument ensued between the two families. In between, the woman quickly went inside and drank a form of cleaning agent which is highly toxic. She drank the liquid in front of her brother and husband,” officer added.
The woman was rushed to a nearby government hospital, where she was declared dead on early Sunday.
The couple, according to the police, married over a year ago and have a two-month-old child.
“Based on the brother’s complaint, we have detained the 27-year-old husband. He will be formally arrested. Based on further information, we will question the mother-in-law too,” officer said.
The Vidyanagar police have booked the husband on charges of abetment to suicide and cruelty against a woman by her in-laws under section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.
Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000; ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290
