A 28-year-old Delhi woman, Akriti Sutar, who died after allegedly falling from the third floor of an NDMC residential complex in Lodhi Colony, had hoped that returning to work would help her overcome the alleged dowry-related harassment at her matrimonial home, her brother Amay Sutar said.
Akriti’s husband, Arastu Sikka, was arrested on Monday in connection with the alleged dowry death and charges of cruelty by husband or relatives. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to Amay, Akriti resumed her job as a sales executive at a private company in Chhatarpur on July 1, four days before her death. She believed that by earning, saving money and gradually buying household items she was allegedly taunted for not bringing after marriage, the harassment would stop.
Akriti and Sikka had married on April 24 after a two-year relationship. Amay alleged that Sikka’s family initially agreed she could continue working but later objected to it.
He claimed she was repeatedly taunted for not bringing items such as a bed, sofa, wardrobe, refrigerator and air-conditioner, with indirect demands of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
Amay said Akriti hid much of the alleged abuse as she did not want to burden the family, which was recovering financially after their father died of cancer in 2019. He said she had supported the family after their father’s death and wanted him to become financially independent.
The family initially believed the couple was facing normal marital issues. Amay said Akriti disclosed the extent of alleged physical abuse, threats and harassment only on July 3, a day before her death.
He alleged that Sikka controlled her phone, questioned her interactions with relatives and threatened him after Akriti informed the family about the alleged abuse.
Police are examining CCTV footage, call records, phone data and other digital evidence. Investigators are also reviewing a Google search for “how to die easily” found in Akriti’s phone history.
