Nineteen-year old Neelima committed suicide at her residence in Amberpet last Wednesday. Prabhavati, a homemaker who lives in Ramantapur, killed herself a fortnight ago. K. Padmini, 45, a teacher, lay down on the Ghatkesar railway tracks and ended her life on November 24. Strangely, the common cause for these disparate cases of suicide is “unbearable stomach ache.”
AP has the highest number of “stomach ache suicide” cases with more than 10 women committing suicide stating the above reason every month. And city cops admit that 95 per cent of them use stomach ache as a pretext to hide the truth.
Women organisations in the city claim that in most of these cases, harassment from the husband and the in-laws is the actual culprit.
Sandhya from Progressive Women’s organisation, says, “Earlier, many married women were killed in the kitchen due to ‘stove burns.’ But now since cops know that ‘stove burns’ translates into domestic harassment, stomach ache has become the latest excuse. To avoid legal complications, the husband or the in-laws claim the victim killed herself due to ‘unbearable stomach ache.’ In many cases, cops are in league with the in-laws.”
Gynaecologists in the city, who are disturbed with this trend, insist that “stomach pain of any nature” cannot lead to suicide. Dr D. Pushpalatha, consultant gynaecologist, says, “Only five per cent of the cases are proven to be genuine. Since stomach ache has no external symptoms, it is considered a safe statement to cover up the cause for suicide. No stomach pain that is non-treatable.”
The real reason could be anything from domestic violence and failed relationships to financial and academic failure, say advocates. C.V. L. Narasimha Rao, a senior advocate, says, “In most cases, the parents of the girl too turn hostile and refuse to file a case. AP has the highest number of suicides attributed to ‘stomach ache.”
Despite knowing that 95 per cent of these suicide cases are attributed to fake reasons, cops’ investigations often hits a dead end. DCP West Zone Ravi Varma, says, “Few women commit suicide due to stomach pain or cramps. But if parents and relatives themselves close the case citing this reason, we can’t do much. If we find anything suspicious, we do take up the cases.”
Facts:
*Every month, over 10 women commit suicide claiming ‘stomach pain’ as a reason.
* Only 5 per cent of these cases are genuine. In 95 per cent of the cases, stomach pain is used as an excuse to cover up the truth.
* In many cases, cops are in league with the in-laws.
* Headache, migraine and depression too are often cited as reasons to cover up cases of domestic violence.
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