Kochi: The High Court said that it is clear from Dr Shahna’s suicide note that her fiance Dr E.A Ruwais knew about her family’s financial condition and that the reason for her suicide was the exorbitant dowry demand made by the latter’s family. Justice P Gopinath verbally commented that the allegations raised against Ruwais, who was arrested in connection with the suicide of Dr Shahna here, were not unfounded. Dr. Shahna, a PG medical student at Thiruvananthapuram medical college killed herself on December 4 after Ruwais, whom she was in a relationship with, backed out of marriage talks due to unfulfilled dowry demands.

There are references against the petitioner, Ruwais, in Shahna’s suicide note. There are also eyewitnesses who went to Shahna’s house to discuss the ‘financial’ matters for marriage. The court pointed out that on the day Shahna took this extreme step, she tried to contact the petitioner on the phone, but he avoided and blocked her.

The court was considering the bail plea of Ruwais when it made these statements. The petitioner pleaded that he should be considered as a student and that continuing in judicial custody will affect his studies and career. He pointed out that he was in custody since December 7 and was interrogated in police custody five times. 

Ruwais phone, laptop and car were taken into custody by the police as part of the investigation. There is no evidence to show that he asked for dowry, the petitioner stated and added that the ‘issue’ was only the break-up of the relationship. 

The petition was adjourned for another hearing on December 22.