Athulya Shekhar (29), a native of Kollam, who was found dead in her flat in Sharjah on Saturday, not just endured years of alleged marital abuse but also bore the frustration of life always going against her dreams.
She was not even 20 when she was engaged to Satheesh. Her engagement took place during her Class 12 board exams, her family, shattered by the loss, says. According to her mother, Thulasibhai, Athulya was an average student, but she wished to continue her education. After completing her schooling, she was offered admission to a college in Sasthamcotta for a BA Malayalam course. However, Satheesh reportedly objected, claiming the presence of seniors in the college could lead to “ love affairs,” and insisted she enrolled in a BA English course at a private college he chose in Sasthamcode.
Athulya dropped out of college during her second year after Satheesh returned from the UAE, and their wedding was held. “He promised he would support her studies after marriage, but that promise was never kept,” Thulasibhai told Onmanorama.
Around 2016–17, the couple had a major fallout and Athulya returned to her parental home in Chavara. “She was determined to take legal action and said she could no longer tolerate the abuse. A court case was filed, but they later opted for counselling and the matter was settled,” said her father, Rajashekaran Pillai. Onmanorama could not independently verify the case details.
Her parents claim they frequently urged Athulya to leave Satheesh, citing repeated abuse. “Last year, when I visited Dubai, I saw him physically assault her. When I intervened, it turned into an altercation. I took her to my younger daughter’s flat, also in Sharjah. I pleaded with her to return to Kerala and end it for good. But the next day, he apologised, and she went back with him,” Rajashekaran said.
Despite the setbacks, Athulya wanted to restart her education. She later enrolled in a distance education programme at Madurai Kamaraj University, with expenses reportedly covered by Satheesh. She was due to begin a new job on the day she was found dead.
Police on Saturday registered a case against Satheesh based on a complaint from Athulya’s parents, which includes charges of murder, physical abuse, and dowry harassment. Investigations are ongoing.
However, Satheesh claimed that he was not responsible for her death. However, he admitted to having physically assaulted her. Satheesh told the media that he found Athulya hanging when he returned home on Saturday.