Pregnant Defence Ministry Staffer Found Dead In Delhi; Family Alleges Harassment By Husband, In-Laws

A 30-year-old Assistant Section Officer with the Ministry of Defence, who was three months pregnant, died by suicide at her home in Delhi’s Dwarka on August 21, with her family alleging that she had been subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws.

The woman, identified as Naziya Khanam, was married to Ajm Ali Khan on April 11, 2026. According to an FIR based on a statement by Naziya’s father, Towab Khan, she had allegedly been continuously harassed by her husband, mother-in-law Samin Nisha, father-in-law Babar Ali Khan and other members of her in-laws’ family.

Naziya had told family about harassment

Naziya’s father told police that his daughter was three months pregnant at the time of her death and had informed her family about the alleged harassment during phone calls.

He alleged that there had been no improvement in her husband’s behaviour despite her repeated complaints.

On August 21, at around 4 am, the family received a phone call informing them that Naziya had died by suicide.

Her family, however, expressed suspicion that she had been killed by her in-laws and that the death had been made to appear as a suicide. They alleged that the continuous mental and physical harassment may have pushed Naziya to take the extreme step.

The family demanded an FIR against those responsible, along with a post-mortem examination and videography of the evidence and proceedings.

Husband’s account of what happened

Sub-Inspector Satpal Dagar reached Naziya’s residence in Dwarka after police were informed about the death.

According to the husband’s statement to police, he had locked himself in a room following an argument with his wife. He later came out and found Naziya hanging from a window.

Police called the Dwarka crime team to inspect the residence and photograph the scene.

Naziya’s body was subsequently taken to the mortuary at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Statements recorded before Executive Magistrate

The post-mortem could not be conducted on August 21 due to the time involved in recording statements before the Executive Magistrate.

Naziya’s father and brother later recorded their statements before Executive Magistrate, Bijwasan.

In a separate statement forwarded by the Executive Magistrate, Naziya’s father named his son-in-law as responsible for his daughter’s death and sought necessary legal action.

Police investigation underway

Police have registered a case under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The allegations of harassment and the family’s suspicion of foul play are part of the ongoing investigation. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding Naziya’s death, including the allegations made by her family and the account given by her husband.