The family of Archana, a 20-year-old pregnant woman who died by self-immolation on Wednesday evening at Mattumala, has alleged prolonged harassment by her husband Sharon and her mother-in-law Rajini, over dowry. Both have been booked under Sections 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives) and 80 (dowry death) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Varantharapilly Police took Sharon into custody on Wednesday. 

“Sharon and my daughter met while he was living in a rented house nearby. Seven months ago, she went with him on the pretext of going shopping, and we haven’t seen her since. He barely allowed her to call us or visit us. Sharon used to beat her, and she was very scared of him,” said Archana’s father, Haridas.

“We did not give any dowry because it was a hastily arranged marriage. But we had warned her multiple times that he was an accused in criminal cases and told her that if she is facing any discomfort, she can always come back home,” he added. “She had just completed her diploma, and I had sent her books so that she could continue her studies,” he said.

Archana's burning body was found inside a concrete canal next to Sharon’s house by her mother-in-law, Rajini. She had returned home after picking up her daughter's kid from the anganawadi. Police believe Archana set herself on fire inside the house and ran outside. She reportedly poured paint thinner on herself before lighting the fire.

Varandarappilly police said both families live close by, and Sharon was taken into custody as tensions escalated in the area. Chalakudy DySP is leading the investigation.

According to Mattumala ward member V B Arun, he received a call around 3.50 pm from neighbours who heard Rajini’s screams and rushed to the spot. “She had returned after picking up her daughter’s child from the anganwadi. Hearing her scream, neighbours rushed over and then informed me. I alerted the police. When we reached, the body was still burning but almost completely charred,” Arun said.

Archana had been living with Sharon, her mother-in-law, her husband's grandfather, sister-in-law and her niece. The couple married in April and shifted to the Mattumala ward about three months ago after receiving a house under the Life Mission Scheme. "Several allegations, including those raised by Sharon’s grandfather, claim that Sharon used to abuse her. Haridas also alleged that Sharon had assaulted Archana publicly in front of her college once," Arun said.