Pregnant Defence Ministry Officer Found Dead in Delhi; Parents Allege Harassment by Husband, In-Laws

August 23, 2026

New Delhi: A 30-year-old pregnant Assistant Section Officer working with the Ministry of Defence was found dead at her rented accommodation in southwest Delhi’s Dwarka, following which her parents approached police with allegations of mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

The woman was identified as Nazia Khanam, who had married Mohammad Azam Ali Khan on April 11. She was around three months pregnant at the time of her death, according to police and family accounts.

Woman found dead at Dwarka accommodation

A PCR call regarding the incident was received at Sector 23 police station at around 4:21 a.m. on August 21, following which a police team reached the Bharthal village accommodation.

Police took the body into possession and informed the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The body was subsequently shifted to the mortuary at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for requisite legal proceedings.

Police said the woman was found hanging from a ceiling fan. Her husband reportedly told investigators that the couple had an argument before the incident and that she subsequently went into another room. He said he informed the landlord after being unable to get out of the room, following which Khanam was found hanging.

Parents allege harassment by husband, in-laws

According to police, Khanam’s family initially appeared before the Executive Magistrate on August 21 and submitted written statements without raising allegations against her matrimonial family.

However, her parents returned on August 22 and submitted another complaint alleging that Khanam had been repeatedly subjected to mental and physical harassment by her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law.

The family has also alleged that Khanam had spoken to them about problems in her marital home. They have questioned the circumstances surrounding her death and sought strict action against those they hold responsible.

FIR registered, investigation underway

Based on the family’s complaint, Delhi Police registered an FIR at Sector 23 Dwarka police station on August 22 under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 85 relates to cruelty by a husband or his relatives, while Section 108 deals with abetment of suicide.

Police said the allegations against the husband and in-laws are being investigated and that further action will depend on the evidence and facts emerging during the probe. The post-mortem and other legal procedures are part of the ongoing investigation.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations made by Khanam’s family have not yet been established by the authorities.