Delhi dowry death case: Newlywed returned to work before death, husband arrested

A 28-year-old Delhi newlywed died four days after returning to work, with her family alleging sustained dowry harassment at her matrimonial home. Police have arrested her husband in connection with the suspected dowry death. Her brother said she hid much of the abuse, believing continued earnings could ease tensions and end taunts.

A 28-year-old newlywed from Delhi was found dead on July 4. Police said Akriti Sutar allegedly fell from the third floor. The fall happened at an NDMC residential complex in Lodhi Colony. Akriti’s husband, Arastu Sikka, was arrested on Monday. Police booked Arastu Sikka for dowry death and cruelty by husband or relatives.

Akriti’s family said Akriti tried to handle alleged taunts alone. Akriti’s younger brother, Amay Sutar, said Akriti planned to keep earning. Amay Sutar said Akriti thought savings could buy household items later. Amay Sutar said Akriti hoped this would end the alleged harassment at home.

Delhi dowry death case: Work plans and alleged household demands

Akriti married Arastu Sikka on April 24 after a two-year relationship. Amay Sutar said Akriti paused work for the wedding. Akriti then rejoined as a sales executive at a private company in Chhatarpur. Amay Sutar said Akriti resumed work on July 1. Four days later, Akriti was found dead in Lodhi Colony.

Amay Sutar said family finances shaped Akriti’s choices after marriage. Amay Sutar said their father died in 2019 after cancer treatment. The treatment, Amay Sutar said, left the family with debt. Amay Sutar said Akriti focused on supporting the household after that. Amay Sutar said Akriti wanted Amay Sutar to become financially independent.

"After my father passed away, she did a lot for me. Her only dream was to see me settled,\" Amay said. Amay Sutar said this goal pushed Akriti to keep her job after marriage. The family said there was an understanding before the wedding. They said Akriti would continue working after the marriage.

Amay Sutar said the position later changed at Akriti’s matrimonial home. Amay Sutar alleged the family claimed no job agreement existed. Amay Sutar also alleged repeated taunts about missing household goods. \"They would say she hadnt brought even basic things like a bed, sofa, wardrobe, fridge or air-conditioner,\" he said, adding that Arastus family indirectly demanded Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Amay Sutar said Akriti did not want to ask her own family for money. Amay Sutar said Akriti believed personal earnings could meet demands over time. \"She told me, You have just become financially stable. Dont burden yourself. I will keep working and slowly manage everything myself. Maybe then they will stop saying these things,\" Amay recalled.

Delhi dowry death case: Alleged abuse, threats, and family concern

Amay Sutar said the family first assumed normal marital disputes. Amay Sutar said Akriti reported being slapped once. Amay Sutar said both families stepped in after that. \"When Akriti complained about being slapped once, our families intervened and attempted a reconciliation, hoping the situation would improve,\" Amay said.

Amay Sutar said Akriti shared more details only on July 3. Amay Sutar said Akriti then described alleged physical abuse and threats. Amay Sutar said there was also repeated harassment over recent weeks. Amay Sutar said signs were missed earlier. \"She became quieter after marriage. We thought she was just exhausted and settling in the new environment. Whenever we asked, she would simply say everything is alright,\" he said.

Amay Sutar said friends noticed changes in Akriti’s expressions too. Amay Sutar said Akriti rarely spoke directly about problems with friends. Investigators are also reviewing phone history. Police are examining a Google search for how to die easily. Amay Sutar, however, alleged that Arastu Sikka controlled Akriti’s phone use.

Delhi dowry death case: Phone control claims and earlier warning signs

\"He used to check everything. Even if her password changed accidentally, he would accuse her of having an affair, abuse her and beat her,\" he alleged. Amay Sutar said concerns started even before any major incident. Amay Sutar described a habit of taking offence over small matters. \"If I forgot to greet him once, he would complain to my sister about it and make it into an issue.\"

\"I used to think if someone could react like that over such a small thing, what must he be like inside the house,\" he said. Amay Sutar alleged the same control affected family contact. Amay Sutar alleged Arastu Sikka objected to calls with Akriti’s mother and brother. Amay Sutar also alleged threats against Amay Sutar after Akriti spoke about abuse.

Amay Sutar said Akriti left office on July 4 and did not reach home. The family tried calling Akriti but got no response. Amay Sutar said they started searching soon after. Later that night, a police officer answered Akriti’s phone. The officer said Akriti was taken to hospital after the Lodhi Colony fall.

Police said Arastu Sikka was arrested under dowry death and cruelty provisions. Investigators said they are checking CCTV footage and call records. Police also said they are analysing phone data and other digital evidence. Officials said they are working to establish the events before Akriti’s death. Police said the role of other family members is still being examined.

With inputs from PTI