PG Medico Suicide due to alleged dowry demand: Former Fiance, a Thiruvananthapuram Doctor, Arrested

Kochi: In the latest update regarding the suicide of the PG medico from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, police have now detained the doctor, who had allegedly backed out of their marriage proposal recently after her family failed to meet the heavy dowry demands from the groom's family.

Apart from being taken into police custody, the said doctor has also been suspended by the State Health Department, informed Health Minister Veena George. 

Health Minister Veena George directed the director of the Women and Child Development Department to carry out a probe and submit a report regarding this, adds PTI.

The state Minority Commission also intervened in the issue and initiated a case on its own based on media reports in this regard. Its Chairperson A A Rasheed directed the district collector, city police commissioner and director of medical education to appear before the Commission during its next sitting here on December 14 and submit a report on the incident.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the death of the 26-year-old young doctor, who was pursuing her postgraduate medical studies at the surgery department of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The PG medico committed suicide on Tuesday by injecting a heavy dose of anaesthesia into her body.

While the matter is still being investigated, the relatives of the doctor claimed that she may have resorted to taking her own life because her marriage was on hold. The doctor with whom the PG medico was going to tie the knot allegedly had demanded a huge dowry for marriage.

Also Read: PG Surgery Student at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College commits suicide, was under stress allegedly due to dowry demand

The relatives alleged that the groom's family demanded Rs 50 lakhs, 50 sovereigns of gold and a car as dowry. Despite having financial difficulties since their father passed away a few months ago, the doctor's family accepted the request. However, as per the statements of the relatives, the matter became twisted when the groom's family started demanding more money and an expensive car and later backed out from the marriage after the doctor's family cited their inability to provide the dowry.

Based on their statements, Dr. Ruwais, her friend who is also a postgraduate doctor in the College, was taken into custody from Karunagappally early today, police said. "We have taken him into custody based on the statements of the victim’s family. He is being interrogated," a senior officer told PTI.

He said a case of unnatural death was registered soon after the woman doctor’s death. Sections of abetment to suicide and Dowry Prohibition Act were added based on the statements of the late doctor's family, he added.

"We have to check the veracity of various statements we have recorded. Further proceedings including his arrest will be decided only after that," the officer said.

On Wednesday, the government ordered a probe into the death of Shahana after allegations of dowry-related issues causing the suicide cropped up. Now the doctor, with whom the late doctor was going to tie the knot has been taken into custody by police. 

As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, Police informed that the detained doctor, Dr. Ruwais, is a principal doctor at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and also a member of the State Committee of the Kerala Medical Postgraduates Association (KMPGA). He was taken into police custody from a relative's home in Karunagappally in Kollam district late Wednesday. Police informed that the doctor was detained on the charges of abutment to suicide and the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961.

Commenting on the matter, Health Minister Veena George informed that the doctor has also been suspended by the health department. Apart from this, the KMPGA also suspended the concerned doctor.

Responding to the situation, Health Minister Veena George said in a Facebook post, "This is a serious issue and incidents like this are not acceptable at all."

HT adds that the late doctor's family and friends informed that she was in a relationship with the concerned doctor and they decided the tie the marital knot. However, at one point, the groom's family started demanding huge dowry including gold, immovable property and a car.

State Women’s Commission Chairperson P Sathidevi visited Shahana’s residence in nearby Venjaramoodu and consoled her mother on Wednesday. The victim’s father, who was working in the Middle East, died recently.

Expressing grief and concern over the alleged suicide of the young doctor, Sathidevi said stringent measures should be taken if the mental agony caused due to dowry had forced her to take the extreme step.

People close to the deceased’s family had alleged that Shahana was depressed as her friend had backed out of their marriage citing dowry as the reason.

Also Read: Wedding called off over dowry: 26 year old doctor ends life