In a distressing incident, a 26-year-old female doctor, Dr Shahana, reportedly took her own life after facing the grim possibility of her wedding being called off due to alleged dowry demands. The Kerala Police have now arrested Dr. Ruwais, her fiancé and postgraduate medical student, in connection with the case.
The Kerala State Women’s Commission Chairperson, P. Sathidevi, has vowed to take strong action if the claims of dowry demands leading to Shahana’s tragic death are substantiated. Dr Ruwais, who was also the Head of the Kerala Medical Post Graduate Association (KMPGA), found himself in trouble when reports emerged that Shahana’s family was asked for a substantial dowry after both families initially agreed to the marriage.
Amidst these developments, Dr Ruwais was relieved of his position as the president of the KMPGA. Shahana’s brother revealed that she was in a state of shock upon learning about the dowry demand, spending days at home before returning to work.
Shahana was discovered dead in her apartment near the hospital on Tuesday, having failed to report for duty the previous night. A suicide note recovered by the police has fueled speculations that dowry-related issues might have contributed to her decision.
In the note, one poignant line reads, “Everyone wants money; money triumphs everything.” Dr. Nidhin, secretary of the KMPGA, expressed solidarity with Shahana’s family and called for a fair investigation into the matter.
State Health Minister Veena George has sought a detailed departmental report on the incident. As Dr Ruwais remains in custody, the focus now shifts to whether the police will formally charge him, considering he was apprehended while on his way to seek anticipatory bail.
Expressing concern over the incident, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan questioned how such a tragedy could unfold, particularly within the medical community. Vijayan emphasized that, in such situations, women should have the strength to call off the marriage and urged serious consideration of the case by the government. The unfolding events underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dr Shahana’s untimely death.
