Kin protest in Nalagarh over woman’s mysterious death

Angered by alleged police inaction after the suspicious death of a young woman, her family staged a protest outside the Nalagarh police station on Wednesday, demanding immediate action against her in-laws.

Neha, a resident of Ropar, was married in November 2024 to Sanjiv Kumar, a soldier from Rampur Gujran village in Nalagarh. Barely five months into the marriage, Neha died at PGI Chandigarh, where she had been undergoing treatment. Her family claims she was being harassed for dowry.

According to a police complaint filed by her brother, Naresh Kumar, Neha was subjected to consistent mental and physical abuse by her in-laws for allegedly bringing insufficient dowry. On the evening of April 19, around 8:45 pm, the family received a call from a neighbour stating that Neha was unwell and urging them to come quickly. Upon reaching her in-laws’ house, they found her unconscious in a room, while the in-laws were allegedly seated indifferently in another.

She was first rushed to Ropar and later referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, where she passed away. After her body was brought back to Rampur Gujran, the family reportedly waited nearly three hours for the police to arrive. Frustrated by the delay, they moved her body to Nalagarh and launched a protest outside the police station, demanding swift justice.

The family suspects Neha was poisoned, citing continued pressure from her in-laws, including a demand for a car. They also criticised the Jogo police for delayed response and claimed that the local post in-charge did not even have the contact number of the SHO, Nalagarh, causing further delays.

Despite lodging a formal complaint on April 21, the family alleges no action was taken for several days. Baddi SP Vinod Dhiman later confirmed that four persons have been arrested in connection with the case, while two others remain absconding. An FIR has been registered under Sections 85, 115(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to cruelty by husband or relatives, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation. The SP said Sections 80 and 103 of the BNS for dowry death and murder were added to the FIR today.

Himachal Tribune