'I’m dying or they’ll kill me': Pregnant Kerala woman dies by suicide after months of brutal abuse

A 23-year-old pregnant woman named Faseela was found hanging at her husband’s residence in Vellangular, Thrissur district, Kerala, on July 29. The Irinjalakuda police confirmed her death and stated that she was in her second pregnancy at the time. Her family alleged long-term physical and mental abuse, which they say led to her death.

Before her death, Faseela reportedly sent multiple WhatsApp messages to her mother, detailing incidents of physical assault. In one message, she stated that her husband, Naufal, kicked her in the stomach and broke her hand. She also mentioned constant verbal abuse from her mother-in-law, Ramla. One of her final messages read, “I am going to die, or they will kill me.”

Based on the family’s complaint and digital evidence submitted, including the WhatsApp messages, the police arrested Naufal and Ramla on July 30. Both were produced before court and sent to judicial custody. The police registered a case under relevant IPC sections, including abetment to suicide.

An inquest was conducted at the Government Medical College in Thrissur, and her body was handed over to her family. Faseela is survived by a young son. Her death adds to recent cases involving allegations of domestic abuse and dowry-related violence among women in Kerala.

Two other deaths were reported in July under similar circumstances. On July 21, 29-year-old Athulya Satheesh from Kollam was found dead in the UAE. Her family alleged that she was murdered by her husband and denied claims of suicide. On July 8, Vipanchika Maniyan and her infant daughter were found dead in Sharjah. A suicide note described years of dowry harassment, sexual violence, and physical abuse. Cases have been registered in both incidents.