Sharjah Expat Suicide: Husband Arrested in Kerala on Abuse, Dowry Charges

The husband of Athulya Shekhar -- a 30-year-old Sharjah resident who died by suicide a day after her birthday -- has been arrested in Kerala on charges of physical abuse and dowry-related offences.

 

Satheesh Sankar, 40, was taken into custody at Thiruvananthapuram airport on Sunday morning after arriving from Dubai. He was handed over to Thekkumbhagam police, who said he had secured anticipatory bail from the District Court. His release will depend on a court order following the recording of his statement.

 

Athulya’s family had lodged a complaint accusing Sankar of domestic violence and unlawful dowry demands. Indian media reported that he also faces multiple criminal charges, including abetment of suicide, voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon, wrongful restraint or confinement, and cruelty by husband or his relatives.

 

Sankar has additionally been booked under the Dowry Prohibition Act, which criminalises the giving, taking, or unlawful demand for dowry. Videos allegedly showing him physically assaulting Athulya had been widely circulated on social media.

 

Sharjah Police confirmed on July 28 that Athulya died by hanging, based on forensic examination. She had been living in Sharjah’s Rolla area for two years and was due to start a new job at a mall. She celebrated her birthday with her sister the day before her death. Athulya is survived by a 10-year-old daughter living in India.

 

Her funeral was held on July 30 in her hometown of Kollam. Her father, a former Gulf expatriate, now works as an autorickshaw driver in Kerala.

 

Athulya’s death occurred just over a week after another Indian expatriate woman in Sharjah died by suicide on July 10, a day after killing her one-year-and-five-month-old daughter. The woman, who had been living apart from her husband for several months due to alleged abuse and family disputes, was repatriated to India for burial, while her child was laid to rest at Sonapur New Cemetery in Dubai.

 

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