Deepika Nagar, a 24-year-old woman, died after reportedly falling from the third-floor terrace in Greater Noida, just eighteen months after her marriage. The incident was reported to police as a suicide but her family claimed she was mentally and physically harassed over alleged dowry demands and was 'murdered'. According to a report in Times of India, every time Deepika came home for a festival, she was expected to bring jewellery for her mother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and any other relatives, if there was a special request. She bought an anklet worth Rs 30,000 from a local jeweller to meet one such demand from her mother-in-law last month.
She was married to Ritik Nagar, a real estate agent studying LLB and was living Greater Noida’s Jalpura village. The young woman died at her in laws' house in the early hours of May 17, allegedly from a fall from the third-floor terrace.
Gold for every festival
According to Deepika’s family, the harassment began just two months after the wedding. They alleged that she faced repeated mental and physical pressure over additional dowry demands. “It slowly became like a ritual. Every time she came home during festivals, there was an expectation that gold items would be given,” her aunt, Baiju Nagar, said.
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Deepika's cousin told TOI that the groom's family had sent a list of gold items they expected for each family member just a month before the wedding. “Relatives also said that they expected a Fortuner, though no direct demand was made, so we let it go,” he said. Deepika's father Sanjay Nagar borrowed money from relatives to meet every demand on the list.
Deepika sustained multiple injuries
The autopsy report has added another twist to the case. The post-mortem report has found that Deepika Nagar had multiple external and internal injuries, pointing to severe blunt-force trauma. The examination found severe contusions on her face, thigh, forearm, chest, abdomen and arms, along with bone-deep wounds on the knee and injuries near the waist.
Doctors documented a large swelling measuring around 12 cm × 9 cm on the right side of her face, bleeding from the left ear, and a massive contusion on her right thigh measuring nearly 38 cm × 14 cm. Injuries were also found on her left elbow and forearm, along with a deep wound on the left knee.
The report further noted circular contusions near the right arm and above the right iliac crest, besides deep abrasion marks across the chest and abdomen.
During the internal examination, doctors discovered a blood clot on the left side of the brain, indicating serious head trauma. The spleen was found ruptured, and extensive internal bleeding was observed in several parts of the body. The left kidney appeared unusually pale, while the chambers of the heart were empty — findings that are considered consistent with massive blood loss, according to the report. The autopsy also specifically mentioned visible blunt-force injuries on the face and right thigh.
Demands for Rs 50 lakh cash, Fortuner
Deepika's family said they had spent nearly Rs 1 crore on the wedding, yet her in-laws allegedly continued to demand additional dowry, including Rs 50 lakh cash and a Fortuner SUV. She was said to have been regularly tortured over the demands and pressured to bring jewellery each time she visited her parents.
Family wanted her to adjust
Just four days before her death, on May 13, Deepika and her husband Ritik attended the housewarming ceremony at her aunt Baiju Nagar’s home in Khudi Khera. “I didn’t get much time to speak to her that day, but she was not the same happy and cheerful woman I had always known. She looked pale and withdrawn,” Baiju recalled. When asked if something was troubling her, Deepika reportedly said she was being taunted almost every day.
“I told her these were the early days of marriage and things would eventually improve,” Baiju said.
Deepika’s father said she shared the closest bond with him and her sister, Sarika. “She was a quiet child. Even while growing up, she never demanded much. She only wanted to study, and I always supported her,” he said.
According to the family, Sunday marked the ninth time her father, Sanjay, had visited Deepika’s matrimonial home. The previous eight visits were reportedly made to mediate disputes between her and her in-laws. This time, however, he found his daughter dead. “I had asked her to be patient. I was so wrong,” he said.
Police said the accused Hrithik and father-in-law, Manoj, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Deepika was harassed since the beginning
Her father Sanjay further alleged that Deepika had repeatedly informed the family about the abuse she was facing at her matrimonial home. Despite several attempts to resolve the issue peacefully, the situation allegedly continued to deteriorate.
According to Sanjay, Deepika called him on Sunday afternoon while crying. Following the call, he and his brother-in-law, Babu Pradhan, went to Jalpura, where they allegedly encountered hostile behaviour from her in-laws.
“After I returned home, I received a call saying she had fallen. I asked whether she had fallen from the stairs or in the bathroom, but they said she had fallen from the roof and that they were taking her to the hospital. When we reached Sharda Hospital, we found that she was already dead,” Nagar said.
He also alleged that Deepika’s body had multiple injury marks and wounds that appeared consistent with attacks using sharp objects such as a screwdriver, knife, or blade.
(With TOI inputs)
