GURGAON: A 25-year-old woman was found dead at her matrimonial home in Pataudi on Tuesday, following which police registered a dowry death case against her husband and four others based on a complaint filed by her father.
The deceased, identified as Somvati alias Sonam, was found dead at her in-laws’ residence in Jaidev Colony Part 2 in Pataudi Jatoli Mandi.
According to the complaint filed by her father, Dhor Singh, a resident of Palwal district, Sonam had married Sahil in 2020 and allegedly began facing physical abuse within a year of the marriage. Singh also alleged that Sahil was involved in an extramarital affair, which frequently led to disputes and harassment.
The family said a complaint regarding the alleged abuse had been filed at the Helimandi police post around three years ago. A compromise was later reached and Sonam returned to live with her husband and in-laws, but the alleged harassment resumed soon after.
Singh told police that his daughter had been staying at her parental home for the past month and returned alone to her in-laws’ residence on Sunday.
On Tuesday, he received a call from Sonam’s mother-in-law informing him that she was critical and had been hospitalised. However, when he later called his daughter’s phone, a police officer answered and informed him that she had died.
The complainant alleged that he noticed deep marks on his daughter’s neck and suspected foul play. He has demanded strict action against Sahil and four of his relatives.
Pataudi police registered a case under Sections 80 (dowry death) and 3(5) (act done by multiple persons) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police said they initially received information suggesting the woman had died by suicide. A forensic team inspected the spot before the body was shifted to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
“The victim died on the first floor while her husband was sleeping downstairs. Her mother-in-law discovered her when she went upstairs and raised the alarm. The husband had already moved the body before we arrived,” a police officer said.
Another officer associated with the investigation said there were no immediate visible injuries indicating murder.
“Prima facie, it appears she took the extreme step. However, since the family has lodged a complaint alleging dowry harassment, we have registered a case and the investigation is ongoing,” the officer said.
The body was handed over to the family after the autopsy on Wednesday. Police said the exact cause of death would be confirmed after the post-mortem report is received.
Sonam’s father, however, alleged that his daughter had been murdered by her in-laws.
“She did not want to return after staying with us for a month, but she went back for the sake of her two young sons. She returned on Sunday and was killed on Tuesday. She had injury marks on her neck. It is a murder and we want justice for her,” he said.
