NEW DELHI: A 24-year-old SWAT commando with the Delhi Police Special Cell died in a Ghaziabad hospital on Tuesday, five days after she was allegedly attacked by her husband with a heavy dumbbell at their home in southwest Delhi’s Mohan Garden area.
The victim, Kajal Chaudhary, was admitted in critical condition after the incident on January 22. Her husband, Ankur, a clerk with the Ministry of Defence, was arrested soon after the assault and has now been booked for murder.
Kajal’s family has alleged that she faced dowry harassment from her in-laws, despite the couple having a love marriage in 2023. Police, however, said preliminary investigations suggest the assault followed frequent arguments between the couple over financial issues. Kajal, who joined the commando unit in 2022, is survived by her one-and-a-half-year-old son.
Her brother, Nikhil, a constable posted at Parliament Street police station, told TOI that the couple, both natives of Ganaur in Haryana, had a heated argument on January 22. “Kajal called me when the quarrel escalated,” he said. “While I was still on the phone, Ankur began hitting her on the head with a dumbbell.” Nikhil added that about five minutes later, Ankur called him and informed him of the assault.
Ankur initially took Kajal to a local hospital. Two days later, her family shifted her to a hospital in Ghaziabad due to the severity of her injuries. Despite treatment, she succumbed to her injuries. A post-mortem examination was conducted on Tuesday.
According to a senior police officer, the couple had reportedly taken loans and often argued over financial matters and household expenses. “On January 22, Ankur allegedly banged Kajal’s head against a door frame before attacking her with a dumbbell,” the officer said.
Police had arrested Ankur within hours of the incident based on a complaint filed by Nikhil. Initially booked for attempted murder at Mohan Garden police station, the case will now be converted to murder following Kajal’s death.
As the investigation continues, the community in Ganaur is mourning the loss of a young commando whose life and career were tragically cut short.
