Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Pregnant Ministry of Defence Officer’s Death Prompts CBI Probe Demand
Nazia Khanam was a 30-year-old government officer who worked for the Ministry of Defence.
She had earlier worked in the Income Tax department in West Bengal.
She married Mohammad Azam Ali Khan in April and was about three months pregnant when she died.
Police said she was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her rented home in Dwarka on August 21.
Nazia’s family says she had told them about frequent fights and harassment at her husband’s home.
They do not believe the case should be treated as a simple suicide and want a CBI investigation.
Police said her parents first gave statements without accusing the family, then filed a harassment complaint the next day.
An FIR was registered, and police said the investigation would proceed based on the evidence.
Thirty-year-old Nazia Khanam, a Ministry of Defence assistant section officer, was found hanging in Dwarka on August 21.
Nazia had previously worked in West Bengal’s Income Tax department and married Mohammad Azam Ali Khan in April.
Her family alleges that frequent quarrels and harassment at her matrimonial home preceded her death.
Relatives questioned the reported suicide, citing her pregnancy and what they called suspicious circumstances, and requested a CBI investigation.
Police registered an FIR against her husband and in-laws under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a later harassment complaint.
- Who
- Nazia Khanam, a 30-year-old Ministry of Defence assistant section officer; her husband and in-laws were named in the FIR.
- What
- Nazia was found hanging at her rented accommodation, while her family alleged marital harassment and suspicious circumstances.
- When
- She was found early on August 21; her parents filed a further complaint on August 22, and the report was dated August 24.
- Where
- Bharthal village in Dwarka, Delhi.
- Why
- Her family says frequent quarrels and alleged harassment raise doubts about the reported suicide.
Family’s allegations
Police account and investigation
Cause and circumstances of death
Family’s allegations
Nazia’s family says she was strong and courageous and alleges that she was murdered or died in suspicious circumstances rather than by suicide.
Police account and investigation
Police reported that Nazia was found hanging from a ceiling fan and have said the case remains under investigation without announcing a final conclusion.
Alleged marital harassment
Family’s allegations
Relatives say Nazia had described frequent quarrels and harassment at her matrimonial home.
Police account and investigation
Police said her parents initially submitted statements on August 21 without allegations against her matrimonial family, before filing a further harassment complaint on August 22.
Demand for an outside probe
Family’s allegations
Nazia’s father and other relatives are seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and say they were not shown the room or given her phone.
Police account and investigation
Police said statements were being recorded and that further legal action would depend on evidence and facts emerging during the investigation.
- Deceased
- Nazia Khanam, aged 30
- Government position
- Assistant section officer in the Ministry of Defence
- Earlier employment
- She worked in the Income Tax department in West Bengal for two years
- Pregnancy
- She was reported to be around three months pregnant
- Date of death
- August 21
- Location
- A rented accommodation in Bharthal village, Dwarka
- FIR provisions
- Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- FIR-named relatives
- Her husband Mohammad Azam Ali Khan, mother-in-law Samimun Nisha, and father-in-law Babar Ali Khan
