30-year-old Athulya Shekhar was to begin a new job on the day she was found dead; family alleges prolonged domestic violence led to her suspected suicide
Sharjah/Kochi, July 20 — In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across Kerala and the UAE, a 30-year-old woman from Kollam district was found dead under suspicious circumstances in her Sharjah apartment on Saturday.
The deceased, identified as Athulya Shekhar, was a native of Thevalakkara in Kerala’s Kollam district. She had been residing in the UAE for the past year and was reportedly preparing to start a new job at a retail store in Safari Mall on the very day she was found unresponsive.
Found Dead on Day of New Job
According to initial reports, Athulya’s body was discovered early Saturday morning at her apartment near Roll Park in Sharjah. UAE authorities are currently treating the case as a suspected suicide, though an official confirmation is awaited pending forensic examination.
Athulya’s husband, Satheesh Sankar, is employed with a private firm in Dubai, while their 10-year-old daughter, Aaradhika, lives in Kerala with Athulya’s parents.
Family Alleges Prolonged Abuse
What adds a harrowing layer to the tragedy is the family's serious allegation of domestic violence. Athulya’s relatives claim she was subjected to ongoing physical and emotional abuse by her husband.
A video has surfaced online reportedly showing Athulya with visible bruises and marks, allegedly inflicted by Satheesh. In the footage, she appears distressed and vulnerable, fueling further public outrage over the incident.
“We had already filed a complaint against her husband for abusing her. She told us she was afraid for her life,” a close relative told local media.
The family firmly believes that the abuse pushed Athulya to take the extreme step, and they are now demanding a full investigation both in India and the UAE.
Second Similar Tragedy in Days
The case has drawn additional attention as it comes just days after the tragic death of another Kerala woman, Vipanchika Maniyan, and her 18-month-old daughter Vaibhavi in Sharjah. The mother-daughter duo were found dead in their apartment under mysterious circumstances.
The two incidents have sparked concern within the Indian diaspora in the Gulf and raised fresh questions about the mental health and safety of women living abroad in difficult personal circumstances.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
While UAE authorities have not released detailed statements, sources say that a post-mortem is being conducted and Sharjah Police are looking into domestic violence as a potential factor.
Back in Kerala, officials have promised to coordinate with Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE to ensure a proper investigation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has also been alerted, and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is reportedly following up on the matter.
Growing Calls for Justice and Support Systems
Women’s rights groups in Kerala and the Gulf region have begun to rally around Athulya’s story, calling for stronger legal protections and mental health support for Indian women working or living abroad.
“Cases like these are not isolated. There’s a clear pattern where women, trapped in toxic marriages overseas, suffer in silence until it’s too late,” said an activist from a Gulf-based Indian women’s rights organization.
Many are now urging the Indian government to strengthen support mechanisms for NRIs, including domestic abuse helplines, counseling services, and legal aid for women abroad.
As the investigation continues, Athulya Shekhar’s name now joins a growing list of women whose voices were tragically silenced — and whose stories, their families hope, will not be forgotten.