A 30‑year‑old assistant section officer (ASO) with the Ministry of Defence was found dead at her home in Dwarka on August 21, and her family has since alleged harassment by her husband and other members of her matrimonial family, Delhi Police said on Saturday. The woman, identified as Nazia Khanam, was reported to be about three months pregnant, a senior police officer added.
Police response and FIR
Delhi Police said an emergency call reporting an alleged suicide was received at 4.21 pm on August 21 and a team was dispatched to the house in the Bharthal village area of Dwarka.
“The police team reached the spot soon after the call. The body was taken into police possession, and the sub‑divisional magistrate concerned was informed. It was later shifted to the DDU Hospital mortuary as per procedure,”an officer said.
Following an initial visit, Nazia’s parents approached the sub‑divisional magistrate (SDM) and recorded statements. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushalpal Singh said the family did not initially make allegations against her husband or in‑laws during that first appearance, but returned the next day with a fresh complaint alleging harassment by her matrimonial family.
“Based on their statement and the facts disclosed therein, the FIR was registered at the Sector 23 police station in Dwarka,” the DCP said. The case has been registered under sections relating to cruelty by a husband or relative and abetment of suicide, police added. An investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on the evidence that emerges.
Personal background recorded by police
Police records show Nazia married Mohd Azam Ali Khan on April 11 this year according to Muslim rites and customs. Apart from the marriage date and the family’s allegations, authorities have not disclosed additional details on motive or forensic findings. The body was shifted to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia or DDU Hospital mortuary for post‑mortem as per standard procedure, the officer said.
Local impact and procedure
The registration of an FIR for cruelty and abetment of suicide places the matter in the criminal investigation stream. Police will collect family statements, examine the scene, seek medical and forensic reports and may record statements of the husband and other accused persons as part of the probe. Any subsequent detentions or charges will depend on the evidence uncovered.
- Victim: Nazia Khanam, 30, ASO with Ministry of Defence
- Location: Bharthal village, Dwarka, New Delhi
- Date of incident: August 21 (call received at 4.21 pm)
- Allegations: Harassment by husband and matrimonial family; victim three months pregnant
- Legal action: FIR registered at Sector 23 police station for cruelty by husband/relative and abetment of suicide
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| August 21, 4.21 pm | Call received reporting alleged suicide; police dispatched to Bharthal village |
| August 21 | Body taken into police possession; statement recorded by family before SDM (no allegations raised initially) |
| August 22 | Family returned with fresh complaint alleging harassment; FIR registered at Sector 23 police station |
What officials have said
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushalpal Singh confirmed the sequence of events that led to the FIR. Officials emphasised that the probe is ongoing and further action will follow the facts established during the investigation.
At present, police have not released details of any arrests or charges beyond the registration of the FIR. The matter remains under inquiry by the local police team and the executive magistracy, and the course of the investigation will determine subsequent legal steps.
Given the involvement of a central government employee and the serious nature of the allegations, investigators are likely to pursue medical and digital evidence, family testimonies and records of the victim’s interactions to ascertain the circumstances that led to her death.
Authorities have asked that any person with information related to the incident contact the Sector 23 police station in Dwarka. The police said they will act on credible leads and evidence as the probe progresses.
Further statements from the victim’s family, the accused and hospital authorities are awaited.
