Magistrate found hanging at Kanpur residence

Pratibha Gautam Rajan and Manu Abhishek had married in January this year against the her parents’ wishes who did not attend the wedding.

A 30-year-old joint magistrate allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her house. Police say some injury marks were found on her body.

Pratibha Gautam Rajan and Manu Abhishek had married in January this year against the her parents’ wishes who did not attend the wedding.(Facebook/Pratibha Gautam Rajan)

Pratibha Gautam, who was posted in Kanpur (Rural), was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her house at Circuit House colony when her husband, who is an advocate in Delhi, came home Sunday morning. The veins of both hands were cut.

Pratibha was posted in Kanpur (rural) since 2015.

Her husband Manu Abhishek claimed he had entered the house by breaking the main door on Sunday morning only to find her hanging.

He immediately informed the police who rushed to the spot and started an investigation. As part of the probe, the police have seized a few articles from the room. A forensic team has also been asked to look into the case.

Police sent the body for autopsy and were trying to quiz the servant and the driver.

While the servant, Anuj, was on leave, the driver could not be traced

“Nothing much could be said about the cause of death as of now. Things could get cleared after the autopsy report is received,” said senior superintendent of police Shalabh Mathur.

Pratibha had travelled to Delhi on Saturday to meet her husband, where the two had a tiff. She got down from their car and left. She did not answer Abhishek’s calls.

On Sunday, Abhishek arrived in Kanpur without giving prior information to his wife before calling the police to report the alleged suicide.

The two had met while preparing for the state civil service examination.

“Pratibha got posted in Kanpur Dehat and I went to Delhi for private practice,” Abhishek said.

The couple had married in January this year against the wishes of Pratibha’s parents who did not attend the wedding.