More than 12 injuries, photos on mother's phone: Fresh claims in Aarathi death case

Thiruvananthapuram: A 26-year-old woman, Aarathi from Varkala, who had been married for around one and a half years, was found hanging at her rented home in Manacaud on Friday. Her family has alleged that prolonged domestic abuse by her husband drove her to take her own life.

The Fort Police questioned her husband, Atul, in connection with the incident and have registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint lodged by Aarathi's mother.

Aarathi was the daughter of Baiju and Jinu of Varkala. She married Atul in December 2024. The couple had been living in the rented house for the past six months.

According to Aarathi's family, Atul frequently assaulted her after their marriage over trivial issues, including money and gold. They alleged that the abuse intensified whenever he was under the influence of alcohol. Family members also claimed that Aarathi's body bore multiple injury marks and that she had sent photographs of her injuries to her mother as evidence of the abuse.

The family further alleged that Atul had married Aarathi after claiming to be a manager at a private bank, whereas he was only employed there on a temporary basis. He was working at the bank's Kizhakke Kotta branch. They also said they had paid the advance and rented the house in Manacaud to make his commute to work easier.

According to the family, the couple had another argument on Thursday. They said Aarathi later informed her mother that Atul had left the house without telling her.

Police said Aarathi was found hanging on Friday evening. According to preliminary information, Atul allegedly called his friends after finding the bedroom door locked from the inside. The door was then forced open, and Aarathi was found dead. However, her relatives alleged that Atul contacted his friends only after confirming her death and that the family learned about the incident through a counsellor.

The family also claimed that Aarathi had more than 12 injuries on her body. Police said they would examine all available evidence, including the post-mortem report and digital evidence, before deciding on further legal action.

Photos of injuries remain on mother's phone

Aarathi's mother, Jinu, said the photographs her daughter had sent showing injuries from the alleged beatings remain on her phone, serving as painful reminders of the abuse she endured.

She alleged that disputes over financial matters were frequent after the marriage and that Atul regularly assaulted and verbally abused Aarathi, particularly when he was intoxicated.

Jinu further claimed that the gold jewellery given to Aarathi at the time of her marriage had been pawned by Atul to purchase a car.

She said Aarathi had spoken to her on Friday at around 4.45 pm, during what would become their final conversation.

Although Aarathi died on Friday, many local residents came to know about the incident only on Saturday after television channels reported the news. Relatives and neighbours gathered at her family home in Vadasherikkona.

Her father, Baiju, who had been working abroad, returned to India on Saturday. Following the post-mortem examination, Aarathi's body was brought home on Saturday evening. Her funeral was held later that night in the family compound in the presence of a large gathering.