Another dowry death? The tragic tale of 28-year-old who fell from Delhi building just 72 days after marriage

After the deaths of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and 22-year-old Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida made national headlines in the country, sparking outrage and anger, comes the case of 28-year-old Akriti Sutar from India’s capital, Delhi.

The woman, who had tied the knot on April 24, died after allegedly falling from a building in Delhi’s Lodhi Colony area on Saturday evening. However, her family alleges that Akriti has been murdered and there is no question of suicide, as her husband’s family has suggested.

The Delhi Police have initiated investigations, noting that all aspects of the case are being considered.

Akriti Sutar’s death under mysterious circumstances

On Saturday evening (July 4), 28-year-old Akriti, a resident of Pushp Vihar, was found critically injured after allegedly falling from the third floor of the NDMC Flats at Palika Kunj in Delhi’s Lodhi Colony.

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The location is around 10 kilometres away from her marital home, and it is unknown as to what she was doing there. According to the police, CCTV footage shows Akriti entering the apartment complex alone, adding that no link had yet been established between her and anyone living in the complex.

Around 9 pm, residents found her lying on the ground and called in the police. While there was no blood on the ground, Akriti’s body had several bruises and injuries. She was immediately taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where doctors declared her dead.

Officers said they initially suspected that Akriti had jumped from the building’s terrace after recovering her purse, mobile phone, and sandals there.

Akriti Sutar tied the knot with Arastu Sikka on April 24. The two of them knew each other for eight years. Image Courtesy: X

Akriti Sutar — a newlywed living with her in-laws

Twenty-eight-year-old Akriti was a sales executive with a private company in Chhatarpur. On April 24, she married Arastu Sikka, whom she had known for eight years.

According to one of Akriti’s relatives, she met Arastu through his sister, and it was a love match. Her family members noted that Sikka is currently unemployed and that his father is a government servant, but never divulged details of his work.

Akriti and Arastu lived with his parents in the government flats in Pushp Vihar.

Claims of harassment and abuse by Akriti’s family

Shortly after the 28-year-old’s death, her family rejected the idea that she had died by suicide and accused her husband and his relatives of subjecting her to physical abuse and harassment after the marriage. They also allege that dowry-related demands led to ongoing disputes within the household.

They claimed that Arastu and his family were demanding Rs 20 lakh and had subjected Akriti to repeated harassment and threats since the marriage. Her family further alleged that Arastu had even threatened to kill her on numerous occasions, and they had a serious argument just two days before her death, reported NDTV.

Akriti’s 24-year-old brother, Amay Sutar, categorically refuted suicide claims, stating that she was mentally strong and wouldn’t take such extreme measures.

According to her uncle, Mananjay Sutar, Akriti had spoken to her mother around 6 pm on Saturday, hours before her death. She had said that she had left the office for the day and was on her way home. Around 8 pm, the family received a call from Arastu saying Akriti was missing. Nearly 90 minutes later, the police informed them that a woman’s body had been found at Palika Kunj.

Moreover, her family stated that Akriti, who had resumed work on July 1 after her wedding, had also thrown a small party for her office colleagues. They noted that her act of throwing a party showed she wasn’t depressed. Mananjay Sutar was even quoted as saying, “If she was unhappy or planning to end her life, why would she celebrate her return to work?”

The family has also pointed to the fact that no bloodstains were found at the scene of her death. They claim that a post-mortem report will be crucial in establishing the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has initiated action under Section 196 of the BNSS, and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has been informed of inquest proceedings.

Case evokes memories of Twisha Sharma death

The Akriti Sutar case mirrors the death of actor-model Twisha Sharma in May. The 33-year-old was found dead in her matrimonial home, just five months after tying the knot with lawyer Samarth Singh.

The death soon ballooned into a national headline when Twisha’s parents and siblings alleged that she was tortured by Singh and his mother — retired judge Giribala Singh — over dowry demands and that she was murdered.

Family members of former model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma, during the latter's last rites, at Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat in Bhopal. File image/PTI

The couple’s relationship came under scrutiny after Twisha’s family released what they said were recent WhatsApp messages from her where she alleged torture by the Singhs. “My life is a living hell,” one message read.

The case was later handed over to the CBI, which continues to probe the case after it moved the Bhopal court on June 30 to extend the judicial custody of Giribala and Samarth for 14 days.

With inputs from agencies