In a shocking development in a suicide case from Uttar Pradesh, a video recovered from a formatted mobile phone has turned the investigation on its head. The clip, purportedly recorded by the deceased, alleges severe harassment by his wife and her family, leading police to exhume his body for further investigation.
A Tragic Death and a Startling Discovery
Wasim Sheikh, a 32-year-old resident of Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli, was reported to have died by suicide on October 20. His family, devastated by the news, laid him to rest. However, the very next day, an attempt to restore old data from his formatted mobile phone led to a chilling discovery.
His relatives found a backup containing a video recorded by Wasim shortly before his death. In the clip, he is heard in a trembling voice, naming his wife Sonia, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law for his suffering. This video has become the central piece of evidence in the case.
The Allegations in the Final Video
The content of the video is harrowing. Wasim can be heard saying, "I'm leaving this world today. Don't grieve for me. They tortured me so much that I cannot take it anymore." He goes on to make serious allegations.
He claims he was stripped of his fatherhood and dignity, separated from his children, and subjected to unprecedented disrespect and humiliation. His final words were a plea for justice, stating, "They should not be spared."
Family's Fight for Justice and Police Action
After viewing the video, Wasim's mother approached the police, suspecting foul play. His brother, Sharukh Ahmed, stated that Wasim's marital life, which began five years ago after marrying Sonia from Ghaziabad's Loni, was riddled with constant disputes and trauma.
Acting on the complaint, the Ankur Vihar police in Ghaziabad registered a case under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide) against the wife and in-laws on October 30. The police then requested the Muzaffarnagar administration to exhume the body for a postmortem.
On the orders of Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate Umesh Mishra, Wasim's body was exhumed from a graveyard in Khatauli on Friday. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nikita Sharma confirmed the action, stating the body was sent for postmortem and further steps would depend on the report.
A Long Road to Exhumation
Wasim's family described a challenging process to get authorities to act. They first approached the UP police online portal and were later directed to file a case at the local police station on October 30. Dissatisfied with the pace, they met senior police officers.
Sharukh Ahmed explained, "They said the process of exhumation takes some time. It finally happened. We want justice for Wasim." The family's persistence led to the crucial step of exhuming the body, which could provide forensic evidence crucial to the case.
The investigation is now ongoing, with authorities awaiting the official postmortem report. The recovery of the video has transformed a case of alleged suicide into a potential probe of abetment and harassment, highlighting the critical role of digital evidence in modern investigations.
