NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old businessman allegedly died by suicide at his residence in northwest Delhi's Model Town on Tuesday. His family members claimed that he was harassed by his wife and in-laws, and before taking the extreme step, he recorded a video detailing the harassment he had endured.
The deceased was identified as Puneet Khurana, who lived with his family in Kalyan Vihar and ran a bakery.
Police have initiated an investigation and already sent Khurana's phone for forensic examination. Police said they would speak to both families. The couple was undergoing divorce proceedings in court, they added.
Police received a PCR call around 4.18pm on Dec 31 regarding the incident. "On reaching the spot, a 40-year-old man was found lying on the bed in an unresponsive state with a ligature mark around his neck," police said, adding that he seemed to have died by suicide. "He was shifted to BJRM Hospital. The body was preserved for postmortem purposes," said an officer.
Khurana's father gave police the mobile phone of the deceased. Police have also taken into possession other related articles. Deputy commissioner of police (northwest) Bhisham Singh said on Wednesday that an autopsy would be conducted on the body. An ACP-level officer is probing the matter.
The purported audio clip of a conversation between the couple went viral, revealing an argument over business. "In the clip, the man claims that his account was hacked, but the woman denies this," an officer said. "She then asserts that she remains his business partner and demands that he settles the dues. The conversation also touches on other business-related disagreements."
Additionally, the woman alleged that her husband repeatedly disgraced her and her family, but when confronted, he asked her to specify what she wanted.
The family members of the deceased claimed that Khurana last spoke to his wife on Dec 31, at 3am. His brother-in-law, Sumit, claimed that Khurana recorded a 59-minute video before taking his life, detailing the alleged harassment.
The couple was married for eight years, and six months ago, they initiated mutual divorce proceedings. "We have filed a complaint alleging abetment to suicide," said Sumit.
TOI tried to contact the wife and her family, but was unsuccessful. Earlier in the day, an Instagram post, reportedly from the woman, alleged that she had suffered "toxicity and narcissistic" abuse. However, the handle was later deleted.
TOI also contacted the bakery, but the person who received the call refused to share the phone number of the woman.
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