An investigation into the suicide of a 24-year-old woman in west Delhi's Khayal area has revealed she was subjected to harassment over dowry demands and her inability to conceive a child after three years of marriage, police said on Friday. Two individuals, including the victim's husband and father-in-law, have been arrested.
Incident Details and Initial Response
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Hareshwar Swami, a PCR call regarding the death was received on Wednesday. A local team rushed to the spot and found the woman, identified as Kajal, wife of Rohan, lying dead inside her rented room. Preliminary inspection revealed a ligature mark around her neck and a chunni tied to the window grill. The Crime Team and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team conducted inspections, and relevant exhibits were lifted and seized.
The deceased was shifted to GGS Hospital, where she was declared brought dead. The matter was also informed to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Rajouri Garden, and statements from the victim's parents and family members were recorded before the SDM.
Legal Action and Arrests
Based on the allegations and facts that emerged during the inquiry, a case under Sections 80/85/3(5) of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) was registered at the Khyala police station, and investigation was taken up. The police subsequently arrested Rohan (husband) and Rajesh (father-in-law) of the victim.
During investigation, it was revealed that Kajal was allegedly subjected to harassment by her husband and in-laws for dowry and monetary demands after her marriage. The family members of the deceased alleged that they were unable to fulfil these demands, due to which Kajal was regularly harassed. It was also alleged that she was subjected to mental and physical cruelty as she could not conceive a child even after three years of marriage. The continuous harassment allegedly drove the victim to take the extreme step.
Broader Context of Dowry-Related Crimes
This incident adds to the alarming statistics of dowry-related crimes in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 6,000 dowry deaths were reported in India in 2022, with Delhi being one of the hotspots. Despite stringent laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (now part of BNS), the practice persists, often linked to domestic violence and suicide.
Women's rights activists have long called for stricter enforcement and societal change to address the root causes of dowry harassment. The case in west Delhi highlights the intersection of dowry demands and the stigma around infertility, which often exacerbates the suffering of women in marital relationships.
Further investigation is ongoing, and police are examining additional evidence, including call records and statements from neighbors. The arrested individuals are expected to be produced before a local court for judicial custody.
