Murder-suicide dad and daughter cremated as community offers support

The bodies of a father and daughter who died in a murder-suicide have been cremated, as the mother recovers from injuries sustained in the incident.

DUBAI // The bodies of a father and daughter who died in an apparent murder-suicide last month were cremated yesterday.

And Indian community leaders urged residents to seek help when problems seemed too big to handle.

The bodies of Rijesh Nambiar and his daughter Avantika, 5, were flown to their Kerala home on Monday afternoon accompanied by two relatives, their family said.

They were cremated at 7.30am UAE time yesterday. The bodies had been kept at their home in the Kannur district for a short time to allow people to pay their last respects.

One relative said the child's mother, Sreesha, 29, who survived the incident, remained in hospital.

Mr Nambiar, in his 30s, and his daughter were found dead in their flat on January 14.

Police said Mr Nambiar was found hanging from the ceiling and his daughter had been suffocated with a pillow.

Mrs Nambiar was found locked in a room and bleeding severely following a cut to her wrist.

She had been working as an accounts co-ordinator at Al Reyami Interiors.

Colleagues said they tried to visit her after she was taken to hospital but were not given permission.

"We really sympathise with what happened to her. She is a nice person," one colleague said.

Mr Nambiar left his family in India a note bidding them farewell and telling them he would go to another life, and a second note for Dubai Police explaining why he was taking his own life.

Police said he claimed to have financial troubles and problems with his former sponsor, who is also Indian.

In September last year, police found the bodies of Anil Kumar, 44, his wife, Sreeja, 31, and their daughter Anusree, 8, hanging in their Ras Al Khaimah home.

Indian community members said there were different theories regarding those deaths.

"Some said that they had financial problems while others said that they had family problems," said AMM Noorudheen, a former president of the Indian Association of RAK and a prominent community member.

Mr Noorudheen said people under extreme duress should seek help.

"They can approach our association or any community welfare organisation in the UAE or Indian consulate for help," he said.

"We are always there to provide support and guidance to people in difficulty."

The association recently solved two issues related to financial problems, Mr Noorudheen said.

"One was related to a cheque-bounce case and another was a dispute between two parties over Dh50,000," he said. "We sat with the concerned people and solved the matter.

"We are going to provide 100 per cent support for people who come to us. People can write an email or call us over phone if they want to keep their identity secret.

"If the money involved is a small amount, like Dh3,000 or Dh5,000, we can definitely help them."

Sreedharan Prasad, the community welfare convener of the Sevanam social and cultural organisation, said people should contact the Indian Embassy or consulates to seek assistance when problems get on top of them.

"There is a toll-free number at the Indian Workers Resource Centre where people can contact and tell their grievances," Mr Prasad said. "It works 24 hours a day.

"There are so many community organisations working for the welfare of the people."