Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Pregnant Defence Ministry Officer’s Death Prompts Marital Harassment Probe
Nazia Khanam was a 30-year-old government employee in Delhi.
She was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her rented home on August 21.
Police were called early that morning and began handling the case.
Her parents first spoke to an Executive Magistrate without accusing her husband’s family.
On August 22, they filed a complaint alleging that Khanam had been harassed and abused by her husband and in-laws.
The complaint also said she was about three months pregnant and had told her family about the alleged harassment.
Khanam’s husband told police that the couple had argued before the incident.
Police have registered a case and are investigating what happened.
Nazia Khanam, a 30-year-old Ministry of Defence assistant section officer, was found hanging at her rented flat in Bharthal, Dwarka, on August 21.
Police received a PCR call at 4:21 a.m. and shifted her body to the DDU Hospital mortuary after informing the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
Her parents initially submitted statements without alleging suspicion against her matrimonial family, but filed a complaint the following day.
The complaint alleged repeated mental and physical harassment, abuse, assault and threats by Khanam’s husband and in-laws.
Police registered an FIR under Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and said further action would depend on the investigation.
- Who
- Nazia Khanam, a 30-year-old Ministry of Defence assistant section officer; her husband and in-laws were named in her parents’ complaint.
- What
- Khanam died by suicide, and police registered an FIR after her parents alleged marital harassment and abuse.
- When
- The incident occurred in the early hours of August 21; the complaint and FIR followed on August 22.
- Where
- A rented flat in Bharthal village, Dwarka, southwest Delhi.
- Why
- Her parents alleged that her husband and in-laws repeatedly harassed, abused, assaulted and threatened her; these allegations remain under investigation.
Parents’ allegations
Husband’s account and police position
Alleged cause of distress
Parents’ allegations
Khanam’s father alleged that her husband, mother-in-law Samimun Nisha and father-in-law Babar Ali Khan repeatedly subjected her to mental and physical harassment, including abuse, assault and threats.
Husband’s account and police position
Police said Mohammad Azam Ali Khan reported that the couple had argued before the incident. His statement does not establish the parents’ allegations as fact.
Events before Khanam’s death
Parents’ allegations
The complaint said Khanam had told her family by phone about alleged harassment by her matrimonial family.
Husband’s account and police position
According to the statement recorded in the FIR, Khanam allegedly locked Azam inside one room before going into another room. He contacted the landlord, who helped him out, after which Khanam was found hanging.
Timing of the allegations
Parents’ allegations
Khanam’s parents submitted a further statement and complaint on August 22 alleging wrongdoing by her husband and in-laws.
Husband’s account and police position
Police said the family’s statements before the Executive Magistrate on August 21 initially raised no suspicion or allegations against the matrimonial family.
- Deceased
- Nazia Khanam, 30
- Occupation
- Assistant Section Officer, Ministry of Defence
- Incident
- Found hanging from a ceiling fan on August 21
- Location
- Rented accommodation in Bharthal village, Dwarka
- Marriage
- She married Mohammad Azam Ali Khan on April 11
- FIR
- Registered on August 22 at Sector 23 Dwarka police station
- Legal provisions
- Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Pregnancy allegation
- Her parents’ complaint stated that she was around three months pregnant
Sources
Defence Ministry Officer Dies By Suicide In Delhi, In-Laws Booked
Pregnant Defence Ministry officer found dead in Delhi; parents allege harassment by husband, in-laws
MoD officer dies by suicide, parents allege abuse by husband, in-laws
MoD officer dies by suicide in Dwarka, parents allege harassment by husband, in-laws
MoD officer dies by suicide in Dwarka, parents allege harassment by husband, in-laws
