‘Husband would beat, belittle her’: Family after Defence Ministry officer found dead in Delhi

The story of 30-year-old Nazia Khanam, a Defence Ministry officer, took a tragic turn on August 21 when her lifeless body was discovered at a rented house in West Delhi's Dwarka Sector 23. The news sent shockwaves through her family and community, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding her death.

Born in Champaran, Bihar, Nazia had risen above many obstacles to secure her dream job as an assistant section officer (ASO) with the Ministry of Defence. Hailing from a family of truck drivers, her father had always been her source of strength. Her journey to this prestigious position was not without challenges, as she and her husband, Azam Ali Khan, had to overcome societal and familial barriers to achieve their career goals.

On the day of her untimely demise, Nazia and Azam had rented a house in Dwarka Sector 23, hoping to streamline their daily commute to work. The couple's rented home became the scene of her tragic end. According to her husband's account, an argument ensued between them, leading Nazia to lock him in another room and take her own life with a dupatta from a ceiling fan.

However, Nazia's family refused to accept the possibility of suicide, claiming that she was subjected to severe harassment and physical abuse by her husband and in-laws. Her parents appeared before the Executive Magistrate and later submitted fresh statements alleging that her husband and his family members had subjected her to cruel treatment, belittling her achievements and belittling her as a woman.

Her cousin, Minhas Alam, a businessman, suspected foul play and suggested that the circumstances surrounding her death were anything but a suicide.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities registered a case under Sections 85 (cruelty by husband or relative) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Nazia's husband and his parents. The family's statements painted a grim picture of a woman who was constantly belittled, harassed, and physically abused by her husband and in-laws.

Despite the challenges she had faced, Nazia's determination to succeed in her professional life remained unwavering. Her family, now resolute in their pursuit of justice, plans to take her body back to Bihar for the final rites after the post-mortem examination.