Dowry Harassment: Doctor Dies By Suicide In Kerala (Image: Facebook/Sanath Kumar S D )

A 26-year-old doctor has died by suicide in Kerala“s Thiruvananthapuram, allegedly after her lover, also a doctor, backed out of marriage for not getting an exorbitant dowry. Dr Shahana was found dead at her rented apartment on Tuesday, December 5. State health minister Veena George has ordered an investigation into this matter.

Dr Shahana was a postgraduate student at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The victim’s family alleges that she died by suicide after her male friend, Dr EA Ruwais, withdrew from the marriage proposal. The family alleged that Dr Ruwais” family demanded a huge dowry, which includes 150 gold sovereigns, 15 acres of land, and a BMW car. However, Dr Shahana”s family expressed their inability to pay this dowry, and due to this, the groom and his family reportedly called off the wedding. Dr Shahana”s relatives alleged that this was suspected to have forced her to take the extreme measure.

A suicide note was recovered by the police, which mentioned that “every one needs money”. The police have registered a case against Dr EA Ruwais under abetment to suicide and violations under the Dowry Prohibition Act. On December 6, police took Dr EA Ruwais into custody. He was the former president of the Kerala Medical Post Graduates Association (KMPGA). State health minister Veena George said that instructions have been given to the director of the Women and Child Development Department to carry out an investigation and to submit a report on this tragic incident. At the same time, the State Minority Commission directed the district collector, city police commissioner, and director of medical education to appear before the commission on December 14 and submit a report on this incident.