CHENNAI: The death of a 29-year-old woman in Poonamallee on Sunday sparked a protest by the victim’s family in front of the police station, with the kin alleging that she was murdered by her husband.
The woman, Nosila Devi, was declared brought dead at Sri Ramachandra Hospital on Sunday afternoon, amid suspicion that she committed suicide by hanging. Her husband, Thendral (31), who reportedly took her to the hospital, is said to have fled the spot after doctors confirmed the death. He has since been absconding.
Speaking to Express over the phone, Sharmila Devi, the victim’s sister, said that Nosila had complained of physical abuse and mental torture by her husband. “They had been married for six years. Though we knew there were problems between them, we didn’t interfere as we thought it was the usual misunderstandings between young couples,” she said.
“But last week, she called me and told me everything about the torture that she had been subjected to,” Sharmila claimed. She alleged that Thendral used to beat, strangulate and inflict burn injuries Nosila, besides threatening to circulate her nude photos on instant messaging services like WhatsApp.
“Nosila told me that all her internal organs were damaged and that only a little life was left in her body. I asked her to hold on for a few more days and then move the police Commissioner’s office with a complaint. But now she is gone,” Sharmila said.
She said that the deceased had called her up again on Sunday and asked her to rescue her from her husband’s house. “Nosila told me that he had tied her up, hit her and left her bleeding. She wanted me to come and take her home. But before I could go, she was taken to the hospital. He killed her before I could reach my sister,” Sharmila claimed.
The couple had two boys aged six and two-and-a-half years old. They are reportedly in the custody of Thendral’s family.
Nosila’s body has been moved to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The Poonamallee police registered a case of suspected suicide under Section 174 (3) (suicide by a woman within seven years of marriage) of the CrPC. “The complaint has been forwarded to the Revenue Divisional Officer (Sub-collector), who will investigate further,” a police officer, privy to the investigation, said. However, the victim’s family staged an agitation outside the Poonamallee police station protesting the police inaction in tracing Thendral.