A late-night phone call turned into a nightmare for the family of a 27-year-old Delhi Police commando, whose final moments were marked by violence and terror inside her own home.
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The woman, Kajal Chaudhary, was allegedly attacked by her husband in their West Delhi residence, while her brother remained on the phone, unable to intervene.
A call that turned into a confession
Kajal’s brother Nikhil, a constable posted at Parliament Street Police Station, recalled receiving a call from her husband Ankur on January 22.
“He called me and said, ‘Apni behen ko samjha le’ (Make your sister understand). I asked him to calm down and immediately called my sister,” he said.
Nikhil said Kajal began opening up about her troubles that day, something she usually avoided. While they were speaking, her husband allegedly lost his temper.
“She normally wouldn’t tell us much about her marital crisis, but that day she was sharing her ordeal. While we were speaking, he got angry that she was sharing her sorows and snatched the phone from her,” Nikhil said.
‘Put the call on recording’
What followed still haunts the family.
“Then he said to me, ‘Is call ko recording pe rakh, police evidence me kaam aayega. Main maar raha hoon teri behen ko. Police won’t be able to do anything). Then I heard her screams. The call ended abruptly,” he said, shuddering.
Barely minutes later, Nikhil said the phone rang again.
“He (Ankur) said, ‘Ye mar gayi hai. Hospital aajao’ (She is dead. Come to the hospital). We rushed there with police personnel. He and his family were already present. When I saw my sister… not even an enemy kills someone like this,” he said.
Injuries and a fight for life
Kajal, who was posted with the Special Cell of Delhi Police, was found with severe head injuries and multiple wounds across her body. The family said she was taken to several hospitals before being admitted to a facility in Ghaziabad.
Despite treatment, she remained in critical condition. After battling for life for five days, she died on the morning of January 27.
Allegations of long-term abuse
The family has accused Ankur and his relatives of prolonged physical abuse and dowry harassment, including during Kajal’s pregnancy. The couple has a one-and-a-half-year-old son, who is now with his maternal grandparents.
Recalling an earlier incident, Nikhil said his sister had been slapped by her husband months earlier.
“I went there and asked her to come with me. Ankur apologised and swore on his child that he wouldn’t repeat it. I told my sister she could return home whenever she wanted and didn’t have to stay there,” he said.
He also alleged that Kajal was made to do household work even during her pregnancy.
“She would cook, wash clothes and utensils despite being pregnant,” he claimed.
Family seeks justice
Kajal’s father alleged persistent dowry demands.
“We gave them a Bullet bike, gold jewellery and cash at the wedding, but they said our son would have got a car (had he married someone else). Later, my daughter even arranged a car, but they didn’t stop harassing her. We couldn’t even speak freely to her,” he said.
Her mother described the financial burden and emotional trauma.
“He (Ankur) had also taken Rs 5 lakh from her…She (Kajal) suffered a lot. I want justice. He is a monster,” she said.
Police investigation underway
Police said the couple had frequent disputes linked to finances and household expenses.
“The couple had taken some loans and often had arguments over finances and household expenses,” a Delhi Police officer said.
According to police, the assault was brutal.
“On January 22, Ankur allegedly first banged Kajal’s head against a door frame before attacking her with a dumbbell,” the officer said.
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A case was registered at Mohan Garden police station based on Nikhil’s complaint. The accused was initially booked for attempt to murder.
“After her death, the charges will be converted to murder,” the officer added. |
