The Unseen Shadows: Tragedy Strikes the Medical Fraternity

Thiruvananthapuram: Driven by the grim reality of dowry demands, the tragedy surrounding the suicide of young doctor Shahna unfolds with heart-wrenching details. Dr. Ruwais, believed to be Shahna’s fiancé, revealed a different side, distancing himself upon reaching Shahna’s house, plunging her into despair. The escalating demands for dowry played a pivotal role in this unfolding heartbreak.

Shahna’s decision to end her life became apparent when the promised marriage unravelled. Despite initial concerns about the absence of names on the suicide note, evidence began pointing strongly toward Ruwais. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Shahna’s mother took the matter directly to the Women’s Commission, setting in motion the gathering of police statements. The house, painted in anticipation of the impending marriage, now stands as tangible evidence, with Shahna’s mobile in police custody.

The contentious dowry demands of 150 sovereigns of gold, 15 acres of land, and a BMW car became an insurmountable issue, with Shahna’s family unable to meet these expectations. Relatives allege that Ruwais withdrew from the marriage, causing immense mental distress to Shahna. In her suicide note, found in her room, Shahna underscored her inability to fulfil the dowry demands and her family’s incapacity to support her due to her father’s death.

In a turn of events, Ruwais, previously in hiding, was apprehended by Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Police in Karunagapally, Kollam. This arrest followed pressure and intervention, particularly from the Women’s Commission. The parallels drawn with the tragic killing of Vismaya in Kollam, where dowry demands also played a sinister role, add a broader societal context to Shahna’s plight. Her situation mirrors Vismaya’s; both women face dowry demands before marrying the doctors they love.

The dowry dispute in Shahna’s case spiralled into a deep depression, ultimately claiming her life. The resemblance to Vismaya’s dowry torture suicide highlights the need for accountability for those seeking dowry. Drawing a comparison between Ruwais and Kiran, Vismaya’s husband, who faced legal consequences for dowry-related torture, reinforces the urgency for legal actions.

In a tragic turn, Dr. Ruwais, a prominent figure in the rights struggles of PG doctors, finds himself entangled in a narrative where his education and involvement in social changes are overshadowed by the accusation of causing Dr. Shahna’s death due to dowry pressures. Shahna, a bright student, was discovered unconscious in her flat near the medical college by classmates, marking a heartbreaking end to her promising life.

The distressing circumstances leading to Shahna’s untimely death overshadowed her journey from completing MBBS at the medical college to pursuing a PG in the surgery department. As discussions around dowry resurface, Shahna’s demise serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for societal change. Strict legal actions against those perpetuating dowry-related tragedies are imperative to prevent such heartbreaks in the future.