26-year-old doctor was found dead in her apartment on Dec 5 following her boyfriend's decision to call off wedding
The suicide of a 26-year-old doctor in Kerala, India has cast a spotlight on the suspected influence of dowry demands in her tragic demise.
Shahana, a postgraduate student at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, was discovered deceased in her rented apartment on December 5, reportedly following the decision of her boyfriend to call off their wedding due to her family’s purported inability to fulfill dowry demands, as per India Today.
According to Shahana’s family, her boyfriend, also a doctor and a representative of the Medical PG Doctors Association, allegedly insisted on a substantial dowry, including gold, land, and a BMW car.
With the inability to meet these demands, Shahana’s family alleges that her boyfriend terminated their relationship, exacerbating the distress that may have contributed to her suicide.
The accused boyfriend, identified as Dr. Ruwise, has been apprehended by the Medical College Police, who filed a case of unnatural death on Wednesday night.
In response to the incident, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has instructed the Women and Child Development department to conduct a comprehensive investigation and furnish a report.
Chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission, Sathidevi, visited Shahana’s mother, advocating for an inquiry and affirming that the commission would demand a report on the police’s actions in the matter.
She emphasized that if it is established that the accused doctor’s family demanded dowry from the victim, legal action would be taken under the Prevention of Dowry Act.
Additionally, the state Minority Commission has taken cognizance of the incident, initiating a case based on media reports.
Faced with the allegations, the Medical PG Doctors Association has relieved the accused doctor of all responsibilities within their organization.
