Haryana horror: Woman, infant son found dead, in-laws booked over dowry demand

A 25-year-old woman and her one-and-a-half-month-old son were allegedly strangled to death at their home in Haryana's Palwal district, with the woman's family accusing her in-laws of harassing her over dowry demands, including an SUV.

The victims, identified as Sagufta and her infant son Juhan, were found dead at their home in Rajpura village on Thursday, police said. A total of 11 people have been named in the FIR.

Sagufta's husband, 27-year-old Sohil Khan, has been taken into custody for questioning. Police said the exact cause of death would be established through postmortem examinations.

Husband detained, family alleges dowry harassment

Station House Officer of Sadar police station Hari Kishan said Sohil allegedly attempted to flee after the incident but was injured after jumping from the third floor of his house.

“He had tried to flee after committing the dual murder but was injured after sustaining an injury to his leg when he jumped from the terrace of the third floor of his house,” Station House Officer (SHO) of the Sadar police station Hari Kishan said.

“He had used the scarf of his wife to strangle her to death and then killed the toddler too by throttling,” he added.

According to Sagufta's family, tensions over dowry intensified after the birth of her son. They alleged that during a ceremony for the newborn, her in-laws demanded an SUV and assaulted her.

On August 15, Sohil allegedly left Sagufta at her parental home in Salamba, Nuh, telling her to return only after her family arranged an SUV. Following a village panchayat, her family said they provided an air conditioner and Rs 50,000, after which she returned to her marital home on August 17.

Family claims she feared for her safety

The next day, Sagufta allegedly contacted her family and said she was being beaten again by her husband and in-laws. She also reportedly expressed concern for the safety of herself and her infant son.

Her family was informed of their deaths on Thursday. Relatives allegedly noticed marks around the victims' necks and suspected strangulation.

“The case appears to be murder, but the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem examination. The woman’s husband has been taken into custody for questioning. Further action will be decided based on the autopsy findings,” a police officer said.

11 named in FIR

Sagufta's family has sought the arrest of all accused and requested video recording of the medical examination, along with a woman doctor on the postmortem board.

The FIR names Sohil, his parents, siblings, relatives and village head Sahib. Police have invoked BNS provisions relating to murder, criminal conspiracy, dowry death, cruelty and other offences.