Kerala doctor suicide case: Ex-fiance held on charges of suicide abetment, dowry harassment

A doctor undergoing post-graduation at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College was arrested by the police on charges of abetting the suicide of a woman doctor by backing out of a marriage proposal and demanding a huge dowry sum.

Dr. Ruwise E A, a native of Kollam, was arrested by the police on Thursday. Dr. Shahna, 26, who was doing post-graduation in surgery at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, was found dead in her room on Tuesday. She was suspected to have injected a high dose of an anaesthetic drug to end her life.

Police sources said that the suicide note of Dr. Shahna and the statements given by her family members about the dowry demand by Dr. Ruwise were prima facie evidence against him. Details of the chat between Shahna and Ruwise were also being retrieved. Apart from abetment of suicide, sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act were also invoked against him. Dr. Ruwise was produced before court and remanded. The remand report also mentioned that depression over Dr. Ruwise backing out of the marriage forced Dr. Shahna to end her life, said sources.

Dr. Shahna and Dr. Ruwise were said to be in a close relationship for quite some time, leading to a marriage proposal. Dr. Ruwise allegedly backed out as Dr. Shahna's family could not afford the huge dowry demanded by Dr. Ruwise's family. The family reportedly demanded 150 sovereigns of gold, 15 acres of land, and a luxury car.

Dr. Shahna's brother alleged that she was very much depressed over Dr. Ruwise backing out of the marriage proposal.

Dr. Ruwise, who was doing post-graduation in orthopaedics, was placed under suspension. Kerala University of Health Science Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal said that Dr. Ruwise's medical degree would be cancelled if he is found guilty, as all students had given an affidavit that they would not take dowry. Ruwise was also the state president of Kerala Medical PGs Association.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that women should be able to reject men who seek dowry. The government will take stern action in such cases, he assured. Kerala has witnessed several instances of dowry deaths of late. A woman was even murdered by her husband by inflicting snake bites in a bid to siphon off the dowry.