Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 23: A 30-year-old pregnant Assistant Section Officer working with the Ministry of Defence was found dead at her rented accommodation in southwest Delhi's Dwarka, following which police registered a case against her husband and in-laws based on a complaint by her parents alleging harassment.

Nazia Khanam was allegedly found hanging from a ceiling fan at a flat in Bharthal village during the early hours of August 21. She had married Mohammad Azam Ali Khan on April 11 and was around three months pregnant, according to the complaint.

A PCR call regarding the incident was received at the Sector 23 police station at around 4:21 am on August 21. Police reached the spot and took the body into custody before informing the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The body was later shifted to the mortuary at DDU Hospital.

Police said Khanam's family initially appeared before the Executive Magistrate on August 21 and submitted written statements without raising allegations against her matrimonial family. However, on August 22, her parents submitted another statement and complaint alleging harassment by her husband and in-laws.

Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR at Sector 23 Dwarka police station on August 22 under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.

According to the FIR, Khanam's father alleged that his daughter had been subjected to repeated mental and physical harassment by her husband, mother-in-law Samimun Nisha and father-in-law Babar Ali Khan. The complaint further alleged that she had been abused, assaulted and threatened and had informed her family about the alleged harassment over the phone.

Police said Azam told investigators that the couple had an argument shortly before the incident. According to his statement recorded in the FIR, Khanam allegedly locked him inside a room before going into another room. He then alerted the landlord, who helped him out, following which Khanam was found hanging, police said.

Police said all necessary legal and procedural steps had been initiated and further investigation was underway. Appropriate action will be taken based on the evidence and facts emerging during the probe, an officer said.