Kozhikode: Pregnant woman tortured and branded with heated iron by live-in partner

Kozhikode: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across Kozhikode, a pregnant woman sustained severe burn injuries after she was allegedly assaulted and branded with a hot iron box by her live-in partner at Kodenchery.

The woman is currently battling serious injuries at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors are treating burns on her hands, legs, and other parts of her body.

The accused has been identified as Shahid Rahman, a native of Peruvalli in Kodenchery. According to preliminary findings, Shahid is allegedly addicted to drugs and is also involved in the use and sale of MDMA.

The victim had reportedly been living with him for the past year after leaving her family home following their relationship.

Sources familiar with the case revealed that the woman had been enduring relentless physical and psychological abuse for nearly six months.

The extent of Shahid’s violent behaviour was such that even his own mother reportedly lived in fear. A week ago, she was allegedly forced out of the house by him and is now staying with her daughter.

Adding to the horror, the pregnant woman was reportedly confined inside the house for four consecutive days without sufficient food.

The situation escalated after Shahid was taken into custody by the Kodenchery police a day earlier, following a separate complaint of creating a disturbance while under the influence of alcohol. He was later released.

Soon after returning home from police custody, Shahid allegedly unleashed a brutal assault on the woman, using a heated iron box to inflict burns.

Despite her condition, the victim reportedly seized an opportunity to escape when the accused stepped out. She unlocked the door, fled the house, and sought help from nearby residents, who immediately rushed her to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital.

Given the severity of her injuries, she was later shifted to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Despite the gravity of the crime, no case has been registered so far. However, Kodenchery police confirmed that a search has been launched to trace the accused and said further investigation would proceed based on the victim’s formal statement.