The victim’s mother alleged that after her marriage, Maniyan faced constant dowry harassment, was mocked for her appearance, and was socially isolated by her husband and in-laws
In a deeply disturbing case, a 32-year-old woman from Kerala and her one-year-old daughter were found dead under suspicious circumstances in their apartment in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The victim, Vipanchika Maniyan, a native of Kollam district, allegedly died by suicide on July 8. Her toddler, Vybhavi, was also discovered dead in the same residence. The deaths have triggered a wave of outrage after serious allegations of dowry harassment and abuse surfaced against the woman’s husband and in-laws.
According to reports, Sharjah police found a handwritten letter in Malayalam at the scene, believed to have been written by Kerala Woman. The note reportedly describes her emotional distress and points to a pattern of physical and mental abuse, she allegedly faced at the hands of her husband, Nidheesh Valiyaveettil, and his family. The letter and the sequence of events have raised concerns that the infant may have been killed before Vipanchika took her own life.
Kerala Woman’s Death in Sharjah Sparks Murder Probe Amid Shocking Dowry and Abuse Allegations.
A forensic report has confirmed that the child died of “airway obstruction, possibly by a pillow,” further intensifying suspicions surrounding the tragedy. Following these developments, a formal complaint was lodged by Vipanchika’s mother, Shyamala, with the Kerala police. She has accused Nidheesh, his sister Neethu Beni, and their father of persistent harassment and abetment to suicide.
Vipanchika and Nidheesh got married in 2020 and had moved to Sharjah shortly thereafter. According to the complaint, Vipanchika was subjected to repeated dowry demands and endured racial abuse related to her appearance. Shyamala stated that her daughter was humiliated and emotionally tormented because she was fair-skinned, while her husband and in-laws were dark-skinned. As a result, they allegedly cut Vipanchika’s hair to make her appear “less attractive.”
The complaint further claims that Kerala Woman was isolated from social support, and tensions escalated after she opposed Nidheesh’s alleged extramarital relationships. Her mother has also alleged that Vybhavi, the infant daughter, was physically harmed as a way of exerting control over Vipanchika.
Due to ongoing marital discord, Kerala Woman had moved out and was living separately with her daughter in an apartment in Al Nahda, Sharjah, for several months before her death. However, things worsened when Nidheesh reportedly served her with legal divorce papers.
Shyamala maintains that Kerala Woman’s mental and emotional suffering became unbearable, eventually driving her to take the extreme step. She squarely blames Nidheesh, his sister, and their father for creating a toxic environment that led to her daughter’s and granddaughter’s deaths.
Indian authorities have registered a case based on the family’s complaint. The case includes charges under Sections 85 (cruelty by a husband or his relatives) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. These developments have cast a spotlight on the continuing menace of dowry-related abuse and the challenges faced by Indian Kerala Woman living abroad under oppressive marital conditions.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are coordinating with UAE officials to gather further evidence and ensure justice for the victims.
