Dowry Death – Delhi Police Probe Woman’s Death After Lodhi Colony Fall
Dowry Death – A 28-year-old woman’s death after an alleged fall from the third floor of an NDMC residential complex in Delhi’s Lodhi Colony is being investigated as a suspected dowry death. Her husband, Arastu Sikka, was arrested on Monday, while police continue to examine evidence related to the events before her death on July 5.
Akriti Sutar had returned to her job only four days earlier after taking leave for her wedding. Her family alleges that she had been facing pressure and harassment at her matrimonial home over dowry-related demands, including household goods and money.
Family says Akriti hoped employment would ease tensions
Akriti’s younger brother, Amay Sutar, told PTI that she believed continuing her job would help her deal with the situation without placing further financial pressure on her family. Their father died of cancer in 2019, and the family had faced financial difficulties in the years that followed.
According to Amay, Akriti felt she could gradually purchase items that she was allegedly criticised for not bringing after marriage. He said she had told him that he had only recently become financially stable and should not take on additional burdens.
The family alleges that Akriti was taunted over items such as furniture, a refrigerator and an air-conditioner. They also claim that indirect monetary demands ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh were made. These allegations are part of the police investigation and have not been independently established.
Marriage followed a two-year relationship
Akriti and Sikka had known each other for about two years before marrying on April 24. She resumed work as a sales executive at a private company in Chhatarpur on July 1 after the wedding break.
Her brother said Akriti had taken on major responsibilities at home after their father’s death and had focused on helping him become financially independent. He alleged that Sikka’s family had initially agreed that she could work after marriage but later objected to her employment.
The family first treated the matter as a marital dispute, Amay said. After Akriti reportedly told relatives that she had been slapped, senior members of both families attempted to resolve the disagreement.
Allegations of abuse emerged days before death
Amay said his sister spoke in greater detail about the alleged abuse, threats and harassment on July 3, shortly before her death. He said the family later realised that she had become increasingly withdrawn after marriage but had often insisted that everything was fine.
Friends from her childhood had also noticed changes in her behaviour, according to the family. However, they said she rarely discussed her personal difficulties openly.
Police are also examining digital material recovered during the investigation, including a Google search for “how to die easily” found in Akriti’s phone history. Investigators have not publicly drawn any conclusion from the search record.
Police review CCTV, phone records and digital evidence
The family has alleged that Sikka monitored Akriti’s mobile phone and accused her of infidelity over minor issues, including changes to her password. Amay also alleged that his sister was discouraged from speaking regularly with her mother and brother.
According to relatives, Akriti left her office on July 4 but did not return home. When family members were unable to contact her, they began searching for her. Later that night, a police officer reportedly answered a call to her phone and informed them that she had been admitted to hospital after the alleged fall.
Delhi Police have booked and arrested Sikka under provisions related to dowry death and cruelty by a husband or relatives. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage, call details, phone data and other evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding Akriti’s death. The possible involvement of other family members is also under investigation.