Days after the death of an 18-year-old woman, Nisha of Delhi’s Madanpur Khadar area, her family still struggles to come to terms with the brutality of the murder by her husband, Ankit.
Labeling the murder as “animal-like,” the family laments the loss of 3-month-pregnant Nisha, which occurred in the wee hours of 5th June, earlier this year.
The story of Nisha starts when she eloped with Ankit two years ago along with cash, jewelry, and other valuables of the family. However, soon after the marriage, she fell prey to the continuous abuse, eventually leading to her death.
“Nisha went missing from her home on 25 July 2024. She was 16 years old at the time. Despite efforts to trace her whereabouts, she could not be found. The family later visited Ankit’s residence, where his family members stated that Nisha was with Ankit” Nisha’s brother, Naseem told FoEJ Media.
“Even after her marriage, we made several attempts to communicate with her; however, Ankit did not permit us to speak with her,” he added.
“Due to concerns about our family’s reputation and fear of societal judgment, we were compelled to leave our home. Although she had already left, the social pressure was such that we chose to distance ourselves and relocate,” Naseem said talking to FoEJ Media.
However, the marriage, which Nisha thought would bring peace and tranquility, led to continuous abuse, claiming her life.
Two years ahead of the marriage, on 5th June, Anikt, along with the associates, beat Nisha to death.
“At around 1:21 a.m., Ankit took my sister into the lane. After that, he went upstairs. Then, at about 1:30 a.m., he came upstairs alone. Later in the morning, Ankit went to his friends and said, ‘I have killed my wife.’ Give me a sack (bag). Her family will send me to jail and get me hanged,” Naseem told FoEJ Media.
“He appeared to be concerned about the possibility of imprisonment, but he did not display any sorrow over her death. His focus seemed to be on avoiding legal consequences rather than mourning her loss. Had he been genuinely distressed, he would not have been searching for a sack,” he added.
“Nisha’s body bore signs of physical injuries, including marks consistent with kicks. There were scratch marks on the upper abdominal area, as well as several marks that appeared to have been caused by fingernails,” Naseem revealed while talking to FoEJ Media.
“Both of my sister’s wrists had been broken. In addition, she was three months pregnant,” he said.
The case came to light when a local resident identified as Rohan claimed he overheard conversations about the incident and informed Nisha’s relatives.
“I was going to the doctor to get some medicine when I saw Ankit standing there in an intoxicated state. He was telling his friends, ‘My wife is dead. She has hanged herself, and one of her hands is also broken,'” Rohan told FoEJ Media.
“When he said that one of her hands was broken, I became suspicious. After that, I informed the family,” he said.
“When the family went to verify the situation, they discovered the body.”
On getting cognizance of the news, the family reached Nisha’s abode, where they found Ankit outside.
“When we went there, Ankit was sitting there. We asked him where Nisha was, and he said she was upstairs. He further said, ‘I have killed her. She is lying there. I have locked the room. Go and check,’” Nisha’s relative told FoEJ Media.
“When we saw her, water had poured over Nisha. Blood was coming out of her head and mouth. There were marks of slaps on her face. Her stomach was completely bruised and turned blue, with marks of kicks and shoe impressions visible,” she added.
According to the family, police registered an FIR and arrested Ankit. However, they said that other accused are still absconding. However, they have alleged delays in investigation and said that police did not take immediate action.
Meanwhile, Nisha’s body was sent to Safdarjung Hospital for post-mortem examination.
