The death of 27-year-old SWAT commando Kajal Chaudhary has triggered outrage after her family alleged that she was fatally assaulted by her husband during a phone call with her brother.
Kajal, a member of the all-women SWAT unit of the Delhi Police, died on January 27 after remaining hospitalised for several days with severe head injuries. Her husband, Ankur Chaudhary, has been taken into police custody and the case against him has been upgraded from attempt to murder to real murder after her death.
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Chilling phone call before assault
According to Kajal’s brother Nikhil, she was on a call with him narrating her ordeal when Ankur allegedly snatched the phone and began assaulting her.
Quoting Nikhil, PTI reported that Ankur told him over the phone:
“Is call ko recording pe rakh, police evidence me kaam aayega. Main maar raha hoon teri behen ko. Police mera kuch nahi kar payegi.”
(“Put this call on recording, it will be useful as police evidence. I am killing your sister. Police won’t be able to do anything.”)
Moments later, the call disconnected after Nikhil heard his sister screaming.
Allegations of dowry harassment
Kajal’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of continuous dowry harassment.
Her father Rakesh told PTI that despite giving a Bullet motorcycle, gold jewellery and cash at the wedding, the demands continued. He claimed the family taunted them saying their son could have received a car in another marriage.
Kajal later arranged a car as well, but the harassment allegedly did not stop.
Her mother said the family had spent nearly ₹20 lakh on the wedding and even taken loans. “He had also taken ₹5 lakh from her. She suffered a lot. I want justice. He is a monster,” she said.
Assault during pregnancy
The family said Kajal was four months pregnant when the alleged attack took place on January 22. Nikhil told ANI that her head was smashed against a door frame and she was beaten with a dumbbell, leaving her with critical head injuries and multiple wounds.
Doctors later declared her brain-dead and said recovery was not possible, the family said.
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Background
Kajal and Ankur had married in November 2023. According to her mother, arguments began early in the marriage and gradually worsened.
Ankur, who worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Defence and was posted in Delhi Cantt, is currently in police custody. Further investigation is underway.
