Delay in postmortem: Union stages protest

 
Sowmya M (20), a native of Padavinangady and a final year BA student of Besant Women’s College, had died at Ghana in South Africa under mysterious conditions when she had been to that place with her husband.

Sowmya’s father Achyuta Poojary had even complained to the Inspector General of Police urging a thorough investigation into the incident. Sowmya’s husband’s family had claimed that she committed suicide at Ghana by shooting self; but her parents suspected that it was a murder.

Sowmya had been married to Prem Kishan of Kodical in December 2008. Prem was in Ghana on a job while Sowmya continued to be in Mangalore as she was studying. However, it has been alleged that Sowmya was being harassed by her husband’s family for dowry.

Sowmya had been to Ghana in October last. On December 31, 2009, her husband’s family informed Achyuta Poojary that his daughter had committed suicide. However, Poojary suspect that his daughter has been killed for dowry.

Sowmya’s body was brought to Mangalore only on January 10, but it had not been accompanied by Prem. The members of All College Students Union alleged that the hospital has not conducted postmortem of the body even after a day of its arrival. It also alleged that Sowmya has been murdered.

“If action is not taken against Sowmya’s husband and family, all college bundh will be observed on January 15,” the Union leaders said.

They also urged that the government should immediately communicate with the South African authorities through the Indian Embasy there, and take action against Prem.