Delhi Police Arrest Husband In Newlywed's Alleged Dowry Death Case

A 28-year-old newlywed woman who died after allegedly falling from the third floor of a building in Lodhi Colony had hoped that returning to work would eventually end the taunts and alleged dowry demands she faced at her matrimonial home, her younger brother has said. Akriti Sutar, a resident of Delhi’s Pushp Vihar, had married Arastu Sikka on April 24 after a two-year relationship. Her husband was arrested on Monday in connection with her alleged dowry death.

Akriti resumed work as a sales executive at a private company in Chhatarpur on July 1 after taking a break for her wedding. Four days later, she was found critically injured after allegedly falling from the third floor of an NDMC residential complex in Lodhi Colony. Her brother, Amay Sutar, said she had hidden much of the alleged abuse from her family until a day before her death because she hoped the situation would improve and did not want to burden her relatives.

According to Amay, the family had faced financial difficulties since their father died of cancer in 2019 following prolonged treatment that left them in debt. Akriti had since devoted herself to supporting the family and wanted to see her younger brother become financially independent. Her family said both sides had agreed before the wedding that she would continue working, but alleged that her husband’s family later changed its position and objected to her having a job.

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Amay alleged that Akriti was repeatedly taunted for not bringing household items such as a bed, sofa, wardrobe, refrigerator and air-conditioner from her parental home. He further alleged that her husband’s family indirectly demanded between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Instead of asking her family for money, Akriti reportedly believed she could continue earning and gradually purchase the items herself, hoping that the alleged harassment would eventually stop.

The family initially believed the couple was facing ordinary marital disagreements and intervened after Akriti allegedly complained about being slapped on one occasion. However, Amay said she disclosed the full extent of the alleged physical abuse, threats and harassment only on July 3. He also alleged that Sikka closely monitored her phone, questioned her interactions with relatives and threatened consequences if she continued discussing their marital problems with her family. Investigators are also examining a Google search for “how to die easily” found in Akriti’s phone history.

On July 4, Akriti left her office but did not return home, prompting her family to begin searching for her after repeated calls went unanswered. Later that night, a police officer answered her phone and informed the family that she had been admitted to hospital after the alleged fall. Police have arrested Sikka under provisions related to dowry death and cruelty by a husband or his relatives. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, call records, phone data and other digital evidence, while the possible role of other family members remains under investigation.

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