Rijesh suicide case: Family waiting for bodies

Dubai: The family of Rijesh, an Indian man who recently committed suicide after allegedly killing his six-year-old daughter Avantika, is anxiously waiting for the bodies to be repatriated to their hometown Chakarakkal in Kannur district of Kerala.

Sreesha, Rijesh's wife, is being treated in the psychiatric ward of Rashid Hospital after she was found with her wrists slashed at the same time that the bodies of her husband and daughter were recovered from their flat in Bur Dubai on January 14.

Rijesh's brother Ribesh told XPRESS, "We are still waiting. We want to cremate the bodies in India. We'd like the investigations to speed up but everything depends on Sreesha who is still in no condition to give a statement."

Ribesh said he had met her twice since last Friday. "But she is still in shock. She doesn't seem to remember anything."

A spokesperson of the Indian Consulate said, "The family has been in touch with us. We will facilitate the repatriation once investigations are complete and the bodies are released."

It was earlier alleged that Rijesh and Sreesha had tried to commit suicide after Avantika was smothered to death with a pillow. While Rijesh had hanged himself, Sreesha had slit her wrist and neck but survived, police said.

Although financial problems were cited as the motive, Ribesh claimed his brother, to the best of his knowledge, was not facing financial difficulties. "They were happy and financially comfortable," he said.