NEW DELHI: Kajal Chaudhary, 27, a SWAT commando with Delhi Police’s Special Cell and four months pregnant, died on January 27 in a Ghaziabad hospital, five days after being attacked at her Mohan Garden residence by her husband, Ankur, a clerk with the Ministry of Defence. The couple had a 1.5-year-old son, now staying with Kajal’s parents.The last chilling callKajal’s brother, Nikhil, a constable at Parliament Street Police Station, recalled the chilling sequence. “He called and told me to record the conversation for the police. Then he said he was killing my sister. I heard her screams before the line cut off,” Nikhil said.Moments later, Nikhil received another call. “He told me she was dead and that we should come to the hospital. By the time we arrived with police, he and his family were already there,” he added.Allegations of dowry harassment and abuseThe family alleged Kajal suffered multiple injuries and had been subjected to prolonged torture and dowry harassment, even during pregnancy. “She was forced to do all household chores despite being four months pregnant. Earlier, she was slapped by him, and even after an apology, the abuse continued,” Nikhil said.Kajal’s father, Rakesh, claimed the family had spent around Rs 20 lakh on the marriage, including a Bullet bike, gold, and cash, but harassment persisted. “Even after arranging a car for them, the torment didn’t stop. He is a monster,” he said.Financial disputes and domestic tensionPolice said arguments over loans, household expenses, and financial stress were among the factors behind the attack. “On January 22, Ankur allegedly banged Kajal’s head against a door frame before assaulting her with a dumbbell,” a Delhi Police officer said.A case was registered at Mohan Garden police station after Nikhil’s complaint. “Initially, he was booked for attempt to murder. Following her death, charges will be upgraded to murder,” the officer added.
