Despite the claim by powers that be that Gujarat is the role model for other States in the country, Dr VK Sudhakaran, former principal of a leading private college and eminent educationist in Kerala’s Palakkad district has his own reservations about the state of affairs.
His daughter, Dr Anupama Sudhakar (30), an upcoming dental surgeon with a Master’s degree to boast of, was found dead under mysterious conditions in her Gandhinagar apartment on January 14, 2022, while the whole of Gujarat was celebrating Makar Sankranthi. Though the post-mortem report could not find out the exact reason behind the death, it was certain that Dr Anupama was in the best of health till the last day of her life. Kshitij (32), her husband who is a petroleum engineer, was more interested in hushing up the case much to the shock of Anupama’s mother and brother who reached Gandhinagar on hearing about her demise.
The couple had got married in a function held in Palakkadu on September 6, 2018. “Kshitij’s behaviour on the day they got married and when Dr Anupama’s embalmed body was brought back home was suspicious.
“He was trying to hide something from the public and did not allow Anupama’s close relations to see her body,” said Mini Krishnakumar, councillor of Palakkad Municipal Council and a long time friend of Anupama.
What shocked Dr Sudhakaran further was the indifferent attitude of Gujarat Police in registering a FIR about the incident. “It was only at the intervention of Gujarat High Court they registered the FIR on May 19, 2022. It took the police four months to a register the FIR and too with the prodding of the High Court. During the period, I had written to all persons including chief minister and home minister of Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and minister of State V Muraleedharan from Kerala. But I am thoroughly disappointed with the kind of reaction from them,” Dr Sudhakaran told The Pioneer.
The forensic surgeon who did not find the reason for the death attribute it to a possible leak in the geyser in the bathroom.
“But that is not convincing as there was no carbon monoxide presence either in the house or in Anupama’s body,” said Dr Sudhakaran. He said Anupamas’ father-in-law and mother-in-law, (Raveendra Natha Pillai and Sabitha Pillai) are known socialites in Ahmedabad as well as Gandhi Nagar. “From day one of the marriage, the duo as well as Kshitit , their son, were tormenting and harassing Anupama for more gold and cash. Since we were worried about the future of our daughter, we did not make it an issue. But we never thought that it would reach this state,” said Dr Sudhakaran.
Mini Krishnakumar, who has been with Anupama’s parents most of the time since the bereavement, said that the WhatsApp messages between the deceased and her husband were concrete evidence of dowry harassment and physical assaults.
“Anupama is not a type of person who thinks of suicide or such drastic actions. This is an open case of foul play.
Her husband went underground with the connivance of Gujarat Police when the courts denied him bail. He and his parents are living happily in Gandhinagar with police support,” said Mini.
Dr Sudhakaran said he would soon be writing to the President of India as well as Prime Minister about the response of the Gujarat Police and the lackadaisical manner in which the case is being handled. “If Gujarat Police are incapable of finding out the reason behind my daughter’s death, let them hand it over to the Crime Branch or the CBI,” said Sudhakaran.