A series of tragic incidents involving young women has cast a grim spotlight on domestic abuse and dowry-related violence in Kerala. The most recent case involves 23-year-old Faseela, a pregnant woman who allegedly died by suicide at her husband’s residence in Vellangular, Thrissur district. She was found hanging on July 29.
Following a complaint by her family, police arrested her husband, Naufal, and mother-in-law, Ramla, on charges of abetment to suicide. Both have been remanded to judicial custody. The family submitted WhatsApp messages in which Faseela described repeated abuse, including physical violence and mental harassment.
In her final messages to her mother, Faseela revealed disturbing details—stating she was pregnant with her second child when her husband kicked her in the stomach and broke her hand. She also described relentless verbal abuse by her mother-in-law. “I am going to die, or they will kill me,” she wrote shortly before her death.
Faseela is survived by a son. Her death has reignited debate over the systemic failure to protect women in abusive marriages.
Earlier in July, another heart-wrenching case emerged from Sharjah, where 32-year-old Vipanchika Maniyan and her toddler daughter were found dead in their apartment. A suicide note left behind by Vipanchika described years of abuse and betrayal. “He used to watch certain videos and demand I do the same. I was beaten like a dog,” she wrote. Kerala Police have filed a case against her husband, his sister, and father for abetment to suicide and dowry-related offences.
These stories have sparked growing outrage and calls for stricter enforcement of domestic violence and dowry laws, as families continue to demand justice for the daughters they lost.