MALAPPURAM: Police have arrested Abdul Wahid, a native of Morayur in Malappuram, in connection with the suicide of his wife Shahana Mumtaz (19) in Malappuram. He was taken into custody at Kannur Airport upon his arrival from abroad. He has been charged with abetment to suicide and mental torture.
Shahana's relatives assert that she took her own life due to the relentless humiliation and demeaning comments from her husband about her skin tone. The couple got married on May 27, 2024. After the marriage, the couple lived together for only 20 days before Abdul Wahid returned to the Gulf. After reaching there, he frequently called Shahana, criticizing her skin complexion and demanding a divorce over the phone. It was Abdul Salam, a relative of Shahana, who disclosed this in an interview with a television channel.
Shahana, a native of Kondotty, was found hanging at her home on January 14. Following the incident, Shahana's family lodged a complaint with the police against her husband and his family.
In their complaint, Shahana's family alleged that Abdul Wahid repeatedly harassed her mentally, criticizing her for her complexion and her inability to speak English.