Newlywed woman found dead at South Delhi apartment, family claims harassment by husband, in-laws

Akriti had tied the knot with Arastu Sikka on April 24 in what was seen as a “love marriage". Her husband is currently unemployed, police said.

Akriti with her husband Arastu Sikka on their wedding day; The South Delhi Lodhi Colony complex where she was found dead. (Special Arrangement Photo)

By: Express News Service

3 min readNew DelhiJul 6, 2026 04:05 PM IST First published on: Jul 5, 2026 at 08:26 PM IST

A 28-year-old woman was found dead at an apartment complex in South Delhi’s Lodhi Colony on Saturday evening, triggering a police investigation.

It was initially suspected that Akriti, who got married around two months ago, had died by suicide. But her family has rejected the possibility and alleged harassment by her husband and in-laws.

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Police said the woman was found injured on the ground floor of the three-storey NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) Palika Kunj apartment complex around 7.30 pm and was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where doctors declared her “brought dead”.

Recovered: Purse, phone and sandals

Officers said they initially suspected that Akriti had jumped from the building’s terrace after recovering her purse, mobile phone and sandals there, but added that all possible angles were being examined.

Akriti’s family has claimed harassment by her husband. (Special Arrangement/Enhanced using AI)

According to investigators, Akriti worked at a private company in Chhatarpur. On Saturday evening, she had called her mother when she left office around 6 pm and again around 6.40 pm, informing that she had reached Saket. Later, her phone was allegedly not reachable. CCTV footage showed her entering the apartment complex alone, officers said, adding that no link had yet been established between her and anyone living in the complex.

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But her Metro train journey puzzled the police. “It has been found that she took the Metro from Chhatarpur to Saket to go to Pushp Vihar, but later went to Lodhi Colony. So far, no links have been found to anyone known to her staying in this apartment complex. However, we are continuing our investigation,” another officer said.

‘Apparently a love marriage’

Akriti got married to Arastu Sikka on April 24, according to officers. “It was apparently a love marriage… both families had agreed to it,” said an officer. After the wedding, she had been living with her husband and his family in Pushp Vihar. Arastu is currently unemployed, said police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said an investigation is underway and all possible angles are being examined. A crime team and forensic experts inspected the site of the incident.

Amid suspicions that Akriti died by suicide, her family said she appeared to be in good spirits earlier in the day when hosting a party for her colleagues. The family also questioned the circumstances surrounding her death, alleging that there were no visible blood stains at the spot where her body was found, and demanded that police investigate the role of her husband and in-laws.

Police said an inquiry has also been initiated by the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Further legal action, they added, will be taken after the post-mortem examination report is received.

# South Delhi