Chhikara committed suicide: US report

Neha (23) was travelling on the luxury liner as a staff along with her husband Ankit Dalal,son of former Gurgaon chief medical officer,S S Dalal. On December 31,2009,hours before taking the extreme step,she had e-mailed her brother alleging torture by her husband and in-laws. The Gurgaon police had registered an FIR for dowry on January 3.

According to Neha’s father,the joint report has taken into account Neha’s dairy entries,statements by eyewitnesses and CCTV footage. “Neha left the room around 3.45 am (IST) and called Ankit on his mobile but he did not answer. She then went to the twelfth deck— as per the CCTV footage,she stood with her back to the sea and jumped off. Another CCTV recording showed her falling into the sea,” said Chhikara.

“We received the reports a couple of days ago,” said V B Singh,Director General,state Vigilance. “This is the first official intimation which states she committed suicide.”