A 24-year-old woman died at her in-laws’ residence in Greater Noida on Sunday, around 18 months after her marriage, in a case her family has alleged is linked to dowry harassment and murder.
Police said the death was initially reported as a suicide after the woman allegedly fell from the third-floor terrace of the house in Jalpura. However, her family claims she was murdered and pushed from the rooftop to make the incident appear as suicide.
Husband, Father-in-Law Arrested
Following a complaint filed at Ecotech 3 police station on Monday, police arrested the woman’s husband, Ritik Nagar, and his father.
Officials said seven other family members, including Ritik’s mother, remain absconding.
Family Alleges Continuous Dowry Harassment
According to the victim’s father, Sanjay Nagar, his daughter Deepika Nagar had been subjected to repeated harassment and humiliation since her marriage on December 11, 2024.
He alleged that despite giving substantial gifts during the wedding — including a Scorpio SUV, ₹12 lakh in cash and gold jewellery — the in-laws continued demanding a Toyota Fortuner and an additional ₹51 lakh.
Sanjay claimed Deepika frequently informed her family about physical and mental abuse at her matrimonial home.
‘She Called Crying Hours Before Her Death’
The father told police that around noon on Sunday, Deepika called him in tears and said she was being assaulted over dowry demands.
Sanjay and another relative reportedly visited the house in Jalpura later in the day in an attempt to calm tensions.
According to the complaint, a few hours after they returned home, the family received a call stating that Deepika had fallen from the roof and was being taken to hospital.
She was later declared dead at around 12.30 pm.
Family Raises Questions Over Circumstances of Death
Deepika’s family alleged that her body had several injury marks which, they claimed, appeared inconsistent with a simple fall.
A relative of the accused family described the death as suspicious, questioning why only the father-in-law was present at the hospital while other close family members were absent.
Another relative questioned why she was taken to Sharda Hospital, nearly 20 km away, instead of a nearby hospital closer to Jalpura.
FIR Filed Under Dowry Death Charges
Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR under Sections 85 and 80(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to cruelty by husband or relatives and dowry death, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The FIR names Ritik Nagar, his parents, sisters and other relatives.
Police said a postmortem examination has been conducted and viscera samples preserved for forensic analysis.
“Further investigation is underway,” an officer said.
Victim Was a BEd Graduate
Deepika had completed her Bachelor of Education degree, while her father worked with the Delhi Jal Board.
According to police, Ritik’s family operates three primary schools in the area.
