Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 (IANS) The suicide of a mother and daughter at Kamaleswaram in Thiruvananthapuram has taken a new turn with the police on Thursday taking into custody the husband of the latter on various charges, including domestic violence and abetment to suicide.

B.M. Unnikrishnan was arrested by the Poonthura police at the Mumbai airport while allegedly attempting to flee to Ireland in the aftermath of the deaths of his wife, Greema S. Raj, 30, and her mother, S.L. Sajitha, 54.

Police said Unnikrishnan, a college lecturer working in Ireland, was intercepted after a lookout notice was issued against him.

Investigators allege that after driving his wife and mother-in-law to suicide, he attempted to leave the country as if unaware of the gravity of the incident.

The incident came to light when Sajitha and Greema were found dead inside their house here on Wednesday morning.

The two had consumed cyanide and were found lying on a sofa, embracing each other.

Shortly before their deaths, Sajitha had sent WhatsApp messages to relatives clearly holding Unnikrishnan responsible, stating that the “burden of humiliation had become unbearable”.

Greema and Unnikrishnan were married six years ago.

Relatives allege that the marriage was conducted after the bride’s family provided over 200 sovereigns of gold, along with a house and property.

However, the relationship collapsed in just 25 days, after which Unnikrishnan allegedly abandoned Greema.

Though he later returned to Kerala to attend the post-death rituals of a relative, family members allege that he again subjected Greema to severe mental harassment during the ceremony, bluntly stating that he wanted a divorce and had no intention of continuing the marriage.

Relatives claim that this public humiliation shattered the family’s last hope and pushed both mother and daughter to take the extreme step.

There are also growing demands for a detailed probe into the whereabouts of the gold and assets given at the time of marriage, with allegations that Unnikrishnan misappropriated them before deserting Greema.

Police believe that Unnikrishnan’s arrest will help unravel further details behind what is increasingly being described not merely as a suicide, but as a grave crime rooted in dowry harassment and sustained mental cruelty.

–IANS

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