Ghaziabad Woman Dies by Suicide After Alleged Threats Over Rs 25 Lakh Debt
A tragic incident unfolded in Ghaziabad's Wave City area on Saturday night, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old woman who allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. The victim, identified as Karishma Verma, was declared dead at a hospital in the early hours of Sunday, sparking allegations of harassment and financial exploitation by her acquaintances.
Father Alleges Harassment Over Borrowed Money
Karishma's father, Pawan Verma, has come forward with disturbing claims regarding the circumstances leading to his daughter's death. According to Pawan, who works at a private company, Karishma had been subjected to continuous threats and harassment from a childhood friend, along with the friend's sister-in-law and boyfriend.
The financial dispute centers around a staggering sum of over Rs 25 lakh, which Pawan alleges was taken from Karishma's account under false pretenses. "I had been saving money for my daughter's wedding for the past decade," Pawan revealed. "I even sold a plot of land and deposited the entire amount in her account."
A Pattern of Distress and Previous Suicide Attempt
This was not the first time Karishma had attempted to take her own life. Pawan disclosed that his daughter had tried to commit suicide six months earlier under similar circumstances. "When Karishma requested her friend to return the money, explaining it was needed for her marriage, they allegedly threatened her and told her she would be better off dead," Pawan stated.
Despite being rescued from that previous attempt, the harassment reportedly continued unabated. Pawan claims he approached the police commissioner with a written complaint after the first incident, but received no substantial response or updates on the investigation.
The Final Tragic Night
The sequence of events on Saturday night paints a heartbreaking picture. Around 11 PM, Pawan discovered his daughter lying unconscious in her room in the Mehrauli area of Wave City. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he didn't wait for an ambulance but instead rushed her to a private hospital in Kavi Nagar on a motorcycle.
"Her condition was critical," Pawan recounted. After initial treatment at the private hospital, Karishma was referred to a larger medical facility where she was ultimately declared dead at 1:25 AM on Sunday.
Legal Proceedings and Police Response
The financial dispute had already entered the legal system before this tragic outcome. Pawan explained that when he initially confronted the friend about returning the money, she called emergency services instead of addressing the issue. "When I narrated my ordeal to the police, they advised me to go to court as it was a financial dispute," he said.
A money recovery case has been pending in Ghaziabad civil court for approximately a year. However, Pawan expressed frustration with the legal process and police response, claiming that despite multiple complaints, no concrete action was taken to protect his daughter from the alleged harassment.
Priyashri Pal, Assistant Commissioner of Police for Wave City, provided an official statement regarding the case. "We are checking the allegations made by the woman's family and investigating the case," Pal said. "We are waiting for a written complaint as no formal complaint has been filed in the case as of yet."
Background of the Victim
Karishma Verma was a recent graduate from a private college in Ghaziabad, with her life tragically cut short just as she was beginning her adult journey. The money in question represented not just savings but a father's decade-long effort to secure his daughter's future and marriage prospects.
The case highlights serious concerns about financial exploitation, mental health support systems, and the responsiveness of authorities to harassment complaints. As the investigation continues, the family seeks justice for Karishma while grappling with their devastating loss.
