A 28-year-old woman was found dead just 72 days after her marriage in Delhi, with her family alleging that she was subjected to dowry harassment and murdered by her husband and in-laws. Police have launched an investigation into the case and arrested the victim's husband as allegations of dowry-related abuse continue to emerge.
The deceased, identified as Akriti Sutar, had married Arastu Sikka on April 24 this year. She was found dead on Saturday after allegedly falling from the third floor of a residential building in South Delhi's Palika Kunj area. While initial reports suggested a fall, her family has strongly rejected the suicide theory, claiming she had been facing relentless harassment over dowry demands since shortly after the wedding.
According to the victim's relatives, the accused allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh in cash, a car and sought control over Akriti's salary. The family also claimed she was prevented from financially supporting her mother and was subjected to repeated physical and mental abuse. They alleged that the harassment intensified in the weeks leading up to her death.
Police have registered a case under provisions related to dowry death and are investigating whether Akriti's death was the result of sustained harassment or foul play. Authorities have arrested her husband, while the victim's sister-in-law has also been named in the FIR as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has once again drawn attention to the persistent issue of dowry-related violence in India, despite the practice being prohibited under law. Investigators are recording statements from family members and collecting forensic evidence as the probe continues.
