Akriti Sutar Death: Husband Admits Beating Her, Cites "Complex" Over Her Salary, Say Police

Delhi Police have arrested a 28-year-old Akriti Sutar’s husband, Arastu Sikka, in connection with her death, days after she was found critically injured following a fall from a residential building in Lodhi Colony, in a case now registered as one of suspected dowry death.

The deceased has been identified as Akriti Sutar, a sales executive with a private company in Chhatarpur who lived in Pushp Vihar. Her husband, Arastu Sikka, was taken into custody on Monday, days after Akriti was found injured at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation flats in Palika Kunj, under Lodhi Colony Police Station's jurisdiction.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal confirmed the arrest, stating that a case under Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (corresponding to Sections 304B and 498A, IPC) had been registered at Lodhi Colony Police Station on July 5. "Her husband Arastu Sikka has been arrested in the matter," he said, adding that the investigation was continuing.

Akriti and Arastu had reportedly known each other for several years through common friends before marrying on April 24 this year, in what family members describe as a love marriage. She died just 72 days into the marriage.

According to her family, Akriti resumed office after a short break and left for work as usual on July 4, calling a relative to say she was on her way. Her phone was switched off soon after, and by evening, her family began searching for her after her husband said she was missing. Police later confirmed a woman's body had been found at the Lodhi Colony flats.

Akriti's family has alleged she was subjected to sustained harassment over dowry demands, claiming her husband's family had sought a car, gold, and Rs 20 lakh in cash, besides control over her salary. Relatives have alleged she was frequently assaulted, at times with a belt, and accused of infidelity over minor disruptions such as a changed phone password.

Her younger brother, Amay Sutar, told reporters that Akriti had largely kept the alleged abuse hidden, believing continuing to earn and save could eventually ease tensions at her matrimonial home. He said their father's death in 2019, following prolonged cancer treatment that left the family in debt, had shaped Akriti's sense of responsibility toward the household. "After my father passed away, she did a lot for me. Her only dream was to see me settled," he said, adding that this had pushed her to continue working after marriage.

Amay also alleged that Arastu objected to her calls with their mother and him, and there had been threats after she spoke about the alleged harassment, describing a pattern of disproportionate reactions from Arastu over trivial matters.

Police investigating the case have said that while the family's allegations are being examined, Akriti's phone records, including WhatsApp chats and Google search history, are also being scrutinised. An officer said her recent searches included queries about whether a fall from a particular height could prove fatal, along with searches related to ending one's life. Investigators said that on the basis of this digital trail, the case, prima facie, appeared to point toward suicide, though no possibility has been ruled out.

In a significant development, police sources said Arastu has admitted to beating Akriti, telling investigators he had developed a "complex" over the fact that she earned more than him. A senior police officer said Arastu handled household tasks while Akriti worked outside, which "made him feel small," and that he had grown convinced his father's income was enough. "He started urging her to quit her job. He confessed that he had beaten her," the officer said.

Police have confirmed that besides Arastu, his sister has also been named in the FIR, as investigators examine the extent of involvement of other family members. Officers said they are examining CCTV footage, call detail records, and other digital evidence to establish the sequence of events. The investigation remains ongoing.

Inputs from PTI