LUCKNOW: A 24-year-old newlywed woman allegedly died by suicide a day after she argued with her husband over replacing their planned flight to Kashmir with a train journey for their delayed honeymoon, according to the husband’s statement to police.However, following a complaint by the woman’s brother alleging dowry harassment and murder, Indiranagar police have booked the husband and five members of his family under charges including dowry death and launched an investigation.Additional deputy commissioner of police (East) Amol Murkut said police registered the case after the victim’s brother alleged dowry-related murder and that the allegations were being investigated. The ADCP also didn’t deny the reason cited by the woman’s husband as a reason for suicide.According to police, the couple, both natives of Bihar, had been living in a rented flat in Shivajipuram, Indiranagar, after their marriage on February 26.During questioning, the husband, a deputy manager at a private bank, told police that the couple had postponed their honeymoon because of his work commitments. He said they had booked flight tickets to Kashmir but cancelled them on July 3 and booked train tickets instead.According to his statement, his wife was unhappy with the change, leading to an argument. He claimed she died by suicide the following day.The husband told police that he left for work on July 4 as usual. When repeated calls to his wife went unanswered, he asked the landlord to check on her. Finding the door locked from inside, they entered the flat and found her hanging. She was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead.The woman’s brother, however, alleged that she had been subjected to continuous harassment over dowry demands, including a car and cash, by her husband and his family. He claimed the family had given substantial cash and household items at the time of the marriage, but the harassment continued.He also alleged that the woman was murdered and the incident was made to appear as suicide. The complainant further accused the husband of delaying informing the family and alleged that he photographed the body instead of immediately rushing her to hospital.“Based on the complaint, Indiranagar police registered a case against the husband, his parents, brother, sister-in-law and sister under charges including dowry death. The husband has been taken into custody for questioning, while further investigation is underway,” said the ADCP East.
