Delhi husband arrested in dowry death of newlywed woman

A 28-year-old woman died just over two months after her wedding, leading to the arrest of her husband on dowry-related charges as police investigate the circumstances of her death. Akriti Sutar was found critically injured on July 4 after an alleged fall from the third floor of an NDMC residential building in Delhi’s Lodhi Colony. She was taken to AIIMS hospital, where she was declared dead.

Her husband, Arastu Sikka, was arrested on Monday, July 6, under provisions relating to dowry death and cruelty by a husband or his relatives. The arrest followed a complaint from Akriti’s family alleging sustained harassment and abuse. The couple had married on April 24, and Akriti worked as a sales executive at a private company in Chhatarpur.

Akriti’s family has rejected any suggestion of suicide, alleging instead that her death was a premeditated murder linked to dowry demands. Her younger brother, Amay Sutar, told reporters that his sister had faced intense pressure and abuse since the wedding. He alleged that although Sikka’s family had initially agreed she could continue working, they later objected to her employment and subjected her to repeated taunts for not bringing household...