Abused, assaulted, manhandled: 36-year-old woman dies by suicide; XEN husband booked for abetment

JAIPUR: More than a month after a 36-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide in Jaipur, Muhana police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and domestic cruelty against her husband, an executive engineer posted in Tonk district, after CCTV footage allegedly showing repeated assault and abuse surfaced from the deceased woman’s mobile phone.

The deceased, identified as Anu Meena, allegedly died by suicide on April 7 at her residence in Balaji Vihar under Muhana police station limits. Police said she hanged herself using a scarf after reportedly making a video call to her husband, Gautam Meena, who is posted as an executive engineer (XEN) in Niwai.

Police registered the FIR Friday after Anu’s family recovered CCTV recordings and video clips from her mobile phone nearly one-and-a-half month after her death. The footage allegedly shows Gautam abusing Anu, assaulting her with slippers, manhandling her and damaging household items, including smashing an LED television.

“One of the videos also shows the woman collapsing outside a room while a child stands nearby. Her brother has submitted the CCTV footage and other clips recovered from the deceased woman’s phone. Based on the complaint and material provided, investigation has been initiated to ascertain abetment to suicide,” a police officer said.

Based on a complaint by Anu’s brother Neeraj Meena, police booked Gautam under charges related to abetment of suicide and domestic cruelty.

The complainant alleged Anu faced continuous dowry harassment and physical violence since her marriage in 2015 despite her family spending nearly Rs 60 lakh on the wedding. He further claimed the family later paid another Rs 20 lakh to stop the harassment.

Family members also alleged the accused routinely deleted CCTV footage from the house to conceal evidence of violence. Police said further investigation is underway.