Autopsy Report Reveals Grievous Injuries in Dowry Harassment Case

NOIDA: The autopsy report of 24-year-old Deepika Nagar, whose family has accused her in-laws of killing her after months of dowry harassment, has found multiple grievous external and internal injuries. The examination found severe contusions on her face, thigh, forearm, chest, abdomen and arms, along with bone-deep wounds on the knee and injuries near the waist. Deepika, according to her in-laws, jumped from the third floor of their house in Greater Noida’s Jalpura village. Her family, however, alleged she was tortured and thrown from the terrace to make her death appear as a suicide. Following a complaint, her husband Ritik Nagar and father-in-law Manoj were arrested on Monday. Five other accused, including her mother-in-law, remain absconding, and four teams have been formed to trace them. The autopsy documented a large swelling of approximately 12 cm × 9 cm on the right side of Deepika’s face, bleeding from the left ear, a massive contusion measuring roughly 38 cm × 14 cm on her right thigh, injuries on the left elbow and forearm, a bone-deep wound on the left knee, circular contusions above the right iliac crest and around the right arm, and deep abrasion marks on the chest and abdomen. Internally, doctors found a haematoma (clot) on the left side of the brain, indicating severe head trauma. The spleen was ruptured, internal bleeding was observed across multiple areas, the left kidney appeared pale, and the chambers of the heart were found empty — consistent with massive blood loss, according to the autopsy report. It also mentions visible blunt-force trauma on the face and right thigh. Deepika was married approximately 18 months ago. Her family said they had spent nearly Rs 1 crore on the wedding, yet her in-laws allegedly continued to demand additional dowry, including cash and a Fortuner SUV. She was said to have been regularly tortured over the demands and pressured to bring jewellery each time she visited her parents. Police sources said it remained unclear whether the injuries were sustained before death or were a consequence of the impact of hitting an iron grille or net after the fall. ACP Rajeev Kumar Gupta said the investigation team was working with doctors to establish the cause of death. “So far, the cause of death is not really clear. Our team is sitting with doctors and will come to a conclusion to take the case forward,” he said. A senior police officer said detailed questioning of the arrested accused was under way. “We have also formed four teams to nab the absconding five accused,” he said. Asked for his opinion on the autopsy report and what could be inferred from it, Dr Pankaj Kumar Hans, a private medical practitioner in the city, said the injuries were consistent with a fall from height but stopped short of drawing conclusions. “It is difficult to determine whether these occurred before death or after the fall. The cuts, internal bleeding and organ damage can all result from a fall from height,” he said.