In a deeply distressing case that has sparked international outrage, a 32-year-old Kerala woman and her one-year-old daughter were found dead in their Sharjah apartment last week. The incident, initially suspected to be a suicide, has now taken a darker turn, with strong allegations of dowry harassment, abuse, and abetment to suicide.
Vipanchika Maniyan, who had been living in the UAE with her daughter, was reportedly found dead on July 8. Her toddler, Vybhavi, is believed to have been suffocated—possibly using a pillow—before the mother took her own life, according to the Sharjah forensic report.
Following the tragic deaths, a handwritten note was recovered from the apartment. Written in Malayalam, the note detailed years of alleged abuse, emotional trauma, and mistreatment by her husband, Nidheesh Valiyaveettil, and his family.
Vipanchika’s Family Blames In-Laws for Dowry Demands
Vipanchika’s mother, Shyamala, has accused her son-in-law and his relatives of relentless dowry demands and racial discrimination. “They cut her hair to make her less attractive because she was fair-skinned,” the complaint says. It also mentions that the child was allegedly harmed as punishment after Vipanchika confronted her husband about extramarital affairs.
The couple married in 2020 and had been living in Sharjah. However, due to mounting domestic issues, Vipanchika had moved into a separate apartment and had received divorce papers from Nidheesh shortly before her death.
Shocking revelations also emerged about a suicide note allegedly posted on Vipanchika’s Facebook page before being removed. The post described how her in-laws isolated her, insulted her appearance, and harassed her over her salary. “They all need my money,” it read. The note also contained allegations of sexual violence and emotional cruelty. “He said he married me not just for himself, but for his father too,” the note stated.
Final Message Left Unanswered Before Tragic Discovery
On the night of the tragedy, Vipanchika had messaged family friend and lawyer R. Manoj Kumar seeking help. Her message, sent at 7:45 pm, received a reply, but she never responded again. Later that night, the housemaid found the apartment locked and alerted the husband, who broke in and discovered the lifeless bodies.
The Kerala Police have filed charges under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The Sharjah Police are also continuing their investigation.
Vipanchika’s family is demanding a transparent probe and the repatriation of the bodies. “I must know the reason for her suicide and all people behind her death must be brought before the law,” her mother said, calling for swift justice.
