Athulya Sekhar, a 30-year-old woman from Kerala, was discovered dead under mysterious circumstances in her Sharjah apartment on Saturday—coinciding with both her 30th birthday and the first day of a new job. Following a complaint from her family, the Kerala Police have registered a murder case against her husband, Satheesh Shankar.
According to reports cited by India Today and Gulf News, Athulya’s mother alleged that between July 18 and 19, Satheesh physically assaulted her—strangling her, kicking her in the stomach, and hitting her head with a plate—ultimately leading to her death. Her body was discovered in the Rolla area of Sharjah, where her sister and brother-in-law also reside.
The victim’s family further claimed that Athulya had been subjected to years of domestic abuse and dowry-related harassment since their marriage in 2014, despite having provided 43 sovereigns of gold and a motorcycle at the time of the wedding. A case has been filed against Satheesh under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
In response to the allegations, Satheesh released a video statement denying involvement in Athulya’s death but admitted to previous instances of physical violence. “Yes, I used to drink, and I have hit her. I won’t deny it,” he said. However, he also pointed to what he described as suspicious elements at the scene—a displaced bed, a knife, a mask, and a button in Athulya’s hand that he claimed did not belong to him—and urged authorities to thoroughly investigate and examine CCTV footage.
Authorities in both the UAE and India are currently investigating the matter.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
