Vipanchika's mortal remains to be brought back to India, daughter to be cremated in Dubai

The funeral of one-year-old Vybhavi, who died alongside her mother Vipanchika in Sharjah, will be held in Dubai on Thursday as per Hindu rituals. Meanwhile, Vipanchika’s body will be brought back to her hometown of Kottankara in Kollam. The decision was made during discussions held at the Indian Consulate.

Earlier, a court in Sharjah had ordered that both bodies be handed over to the family of Vipanchika's husband, Nitheesh. However, her mother and brother, who are currently in Sharjah, approached the Indian Consulate. After discussions held at the consulate, it was decided that the child's body would be cremated in Dubai, while Vipanchika's body would be handed over to her family, her relatives told Onmanorama.

However, it is not yet decided when her body will be brought back to Kerala. 

Vipanchika and her daughter were found dead in Sharjah on July 8. According to a complaint lodged by her mother, Shylaja, with Kundara police, her daughter was regularly harassed over dowry, humiliated for her appearance, and isolated by her husband and his family. Shylaja has raised serious allegations against Vipanchika’s husband and his parents.

Meanwhile, her family approached the High Court demanding a detailed investigation into the incident. The petition, filed by Vipanchika’s aunt, alleges that the deaths occurred under suspicious circumstances and points to possible foul play. They had also sought the return of the bodies to India. 

However, the court highlighted the husband’s rights to the bodies. "When the husband is alive and the legal claimant, why should this Court interfere? It is not just about religious rites, but also about bodily rights, as of now, he holds that right," the judge remarked. The court has ordered Nitheesh to be impleaded in the case, noting that the Embassy’s input was also needed.