Delhi cafe owner’s suicide has sparked serious allegations as the family of the deceased accused his wife and in-laws of harassment amid an ongoing divorce. The 40-year-old co-owner of a popular bakery in Wazirpur and a cafe on GT Karnal Road allegedly died by suicide at his Model Town home on Tuesday. The contentious separation process reportedly included disputes over business and personal matters.
The local police received a distress call at approximately 4:18 PM, reporting the incident. “A 40-year-old man was found lying on a bed in an unresponsive state with ligature marks on his neck. Prima facie, it appeared that he had hanged himself,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest), Bhisham Singh. The man’s body was preserved for post-mortem analysis, while the police seized his mobile phone and other items for evidence.
Family Alleges Harassment Over Divorce
The victim’s family alleged continuous mental harassment by his wife and her relatives. According to them, disputes over alimony, property, and business led to significant mental stress on the deceased. The family presented the police with recordings and videos from the man’s phone, including a 54-minute video they claim serves as a “suicide note.”
“There are many recordings on the phone, including a 16-minute argument that occurred 11 hours before his death,” said a senior police officer. “We are analyzing the evidence at the Forensic Science Laboratory to determine its relevance.”
The victim’s sister accused the wife of making unreasonable demands during the divorce proceedings. “She demanded ₹70,000 per month as alimony and an apology letter, falsely accusing him of humiliating her father,” she said. “The constant harassment drove him to this.”
The mother also alleged provocation, stating, “She demanded money and property, saying, ‘die by suicide if you dare.’ He fought with her over the phone before taking his life.”
Police Investigation Underway
The police are treating the allegations seriously and have launched a detailed investigation. They are questioning the wife and analyzing the evidence, including audio recordings of heated exchanges between the couple. One such recording captured discussions about business disputes, property division, and accusations of abuse.
The wife has not made any public statements regarding the allegations. When contacted, she declined to comment.
Senior officers emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway to determine whether the allegations of abetment of suicide are substantiated. “We are examining all evidence before taking further legal action,” an officer stated.
Historical Business Partnership and Its Collapse
The couple, married since 2016, jointly owned a bakery and cafe. Their businesses were reportedly thriving until their marital discord impacted operations. The cafe on GT Karnal Road shut down last year, reportedly due to financial and personal disputes. This history has become a crucial aspect of the ongoing investigation, as disagreements over the division of assets were central to their conflicts.
The tragic incident has left the local community shocked. While the police continue their probe, the allegations have raised questions about the impact of personal disputes on mental health and the role of societal pressures in such tragedies.