A 21-year-old woman from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly died by suicide following a domestic quarrel with her husband over cooking non-vegetarian food, though her family has accused her in-laws of murdering her due to unmet dowry demands. Police said the victim, identified as Reena, was married to Nigam about ten months ago. On the night of August 21, Nigam returned home with liquor and chicken, expecting his wife to prepare a non-vegetarian meal. Instead, she cooked a vegetarian dish, which reportedly led to a heated argument between the couple.
According to investigators, Nigam confessed that during the altercation, he assaulted his wife. Later that night, Reena allegedly took her own life by hanging. Fearing repercussions from her family, Nigam, with the help of his relatives, wrapped her body in a sheet, stuffed it with soil, and disposed of it in the Ganga River in an attempt to cover up the incident. The next day, he misled authorities by filing a missing person report, claiming that his wife had run away from home.
The case took a turn after police interrogated Nigam, during which he admitted to his role in the crime. On the complaint of Reena’s family, police registered a case of dowry death against Nigam and five members of his family. So far, Nigam and two others, including his cousin Bijendra, have been arrested and sent to jail, while his parents, Suresh and Kunta, remain absconding. Police divers have recovered only Reena’s drape from the river, and efforts to locate her body are still underway.
Additional Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Bhadauria confirmed that the incident, initially reported as a disappearance, was revealed to be a case of dowry-related death after a detailed investigation. He stated that strict action is being taken, and further arrests are expected. Meanwhile, Reena’s brother, Horam Singh, has demanded that the police recover her body and ensure justice by punishing all those involved in the crime.
