‘Mocked for looks and lack of job’: Relatives blame husband’s abuse for Vishnuja’s death

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Malappuram: Relatives and friends of 26-year-old Vishnuja, who was found dead at her husband’s house in Elangoor, Malappuram, last week, have alleged that constant harassment by her spouse led her to take the extreme step. According to them, she faced neglect and humiliation from her husband, Prabhin, for not meeting his standards of beauty and for being unemployed. Though she had hinted at these issues to her family, she chose to reconcile with him.
“The investigation must determine what ultimately led her to this decision,” said her brother-in-law Sreekanth, who filed a complaint. He alleged that the most frequent form of harassment was over her lack of a job. Vishnuja had enrolled in banking exam coaching and was staying in a hostel for her studies. She had also confided in friends that Prabhin mocked her for her appearance, allegedly telling her she “did not even look like a woman.”
Once, during a phone call, Vishnuja’s father overheard an argument and asked her about it, but she downplayed the issue. Sreekanth also noted that since their wedding in May 2023, Prabhin never stayed at her parental home.
Relatives suspect a serious argument occurred between the couple on the day of her death. Prabhin left home around 11 am to watch a film, leaving Vishnuja upstairs while his mother remained on the ground floor. She was found unresponsive at 5 pm when neighbours broke open the door at her mother-in-law’s request. No one had checked on her throughout the day.
Family members also allege that Prabhin’s household was aware of the mistreatment. Friends had previously noticed slap marks on her face, raising concerns about physical abuse. “If her friends could see it, surely her mother-in-law must have as well,” a relative remarked.
Vishnuja’s family was informed of her death via a call to her elder sister from an unknown number. Police arrived at the scene shortly after her relatives.
Despite his reputation as a dedicated hospital employee, Sreekanth accused Prabhin of having “one personality in public and another at home.”
The district medical officer stated that further action against Prabhin would be taken based on the police report. The investigation is ongoing.