‘Pregnant’ govt officer dies by suicide in Delhi; in-laws booked

Dwarka police filed a case against the woman’s husband and in-laws over harassment and dowry allegations, while her pregnancy remains unconfirmed

New Delhi: A 30-year-old assistant section officer at the ministry of defence (MoD) allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Dwarka on Friday, police said on Sunday.

The 30-year-old assistant section officer at the Ministry of Defence allegedly died by suicide at her Dwarka residence (Hindustan Times/ Representational image)

Her family alleged that she was three months pregnant at the time of the incident and was being harassed by her husband and in-laws.

Police said they have lodged a case against her husband and in-laws. Police said a call was received around 4.20 am on Friday from the woman’s in-laws reporting the suicide.

“A police team reached the spot. The body was taken into police possession and the concerned SDM was informed,” said deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh.

Police said the body was shifted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital mortuary for the post-mortem.

The woman got married in April this year. Police said an enquiry revealed that she and her husband, who works as a supply chain manager for a quick commerce app, argued on Thursday night.

In his police statement, the husband said his wife allegedly locked him in a room, and he had to call his landlord for help, who managed to get him out. He also said he broke his wife’s room lock from inside and found her dead when he broke open the door.

Police said the allegations about the woman’s pregnancy can only be confirmed after the post-mortem report.

Police said the woman’s family members first appeared before the concerned executive magistrate and submitted their written statements on Friday. “In their statements, they did not express any suspicion or level any allegation against in-laws. However, on Saturday, the parents of the deceased again appeared before the magistrate and submitted a complaint alleging harassment by husband and in-laws,” added the DCP.

Based on the complaint by her family members, a case was registered under BNS sections 85 (punishes a husband or his relative who subjects a woman to cruelty) and 108 (abetment of suicide).

The woman’s family, who hail from Patna, said she was the eldest of three siblings and a “hardworking” person. Her brothers said she had earlier worked at the Income Tax Department in Kolkata and, two years ago, got a job at the defence ministry.

“She was the only woman in our entire family who had a job. We were all very proud of her. My father was very excited when her wedding was fixed this year. I don’t think she ended her life,” alleged her younger brother, who works as a software engineer.

“My mother is in shock. She last spoke to my sister on Thursday evening. My sister kept insisting that my mother visit her. She didn’t state any reason. We promised her we would all come on September 1,” he added.

Her father alleged that she was constantly harassed. “Imagine living in a house where the husband and his parents mock her, demand dowry and threaten to throw her out of the house. He (husband) would physically assault my daughter even during her pregnancy. He had anger issues. They kept asking for dowry, but we don’t have that much money.”

“We feel the matter is being suppressed as her father-in-law was in Jharkhand Police. The police have still not added dowry sections. We don’t know why. My wife and I have been asking them to add these in the FIR,” he added.

Over the allegations, a police officer said an investigation is underway, and appropriate action will be taken based on the evidence and facts that emerge.