Priyanka’s Death: Actor Rajan P Dev’s wife Shantamma absconds: Police
Santha Rajan P Dev, wife of late actor Rajan P Dev, who was under investigation for her daughter-in-law Priyanka’s suicide, has gone into hiding, according to police.
The prolonged detention of Santha, the second accused in the case, drew harsh criticism.
Santha’s arrest had been postponed for nearly a month by police, who claimed she had tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, Priyanka’s family recently filed a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the police were attempting to sabotage the investigation.
After searching Santha’s and her daughter’s homes, the police were unable to locate her.
The police arrested Priyanka’s husband Unni P Dev, the first accused in the case, on May 25, after a complaint was filed by Priyanka’s brother Vishnu, who claimed that Priyanka, 26, committed suicide on May 12 as a result of domestic violence at her husband’s home.
On November 21, 2019, Unni and Priyanka married. According to the relatives, it was a love marriage. Rajan P Dev’s younger son, Unni, is also an actor.
According to Priyanka’s relatives, Unni and Priyanka had marital problems, and the latter was returned to her home as a result. Unni used to frequently demand money as dowry from Priyanka and her family.
When she returned home, her relatives claimed she had bruises on her body from a physical assault. On May 11, Priyanka filed a complaint at the Vattappara police station alleging domestic violence. The following day, she was discovered hanging at her home in Vembayam, Thiruvananthapuram district.
The relatives later filed a police report, requesting that Unni be charged with abetment of suicide and domestic violence.
Following Priyanka’s brother’s complaint, Vattapara police registered a case and began an investigation.
In the last few days, the state has reported at least a half-dozen unnatural deaths of young married women. They apparently committed suicide as a result of dowry harassment or torture.
