Nagpur: A shocking dowry death case has sent shockwaves across Nagpur and Amravati after the death of a 19-year-old newly-wed woman, initially claimed to be due to a heart attack, was later revealed to be a case of alleged murder following an exhumation and post-mortem examination. Police investigations have now confirmed that the victim died due to asphyxiation caused by strangulation.

The deceased has been identified as Fazila Jabeen Sheikh, a resident of Amravati, who had married Mohd Zuber Mohd Jalil Sheikh of Boriapura area in Nagpur on January 25 this year as per religious customs. According to the victim’s family, the first few weeks after marriage appeared normal, but soon Fazila allegedly started facing mental and physical harassment from her husband and in-laws over dowry demands.

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Based on the complaint lodged by Fazila’s brother Mohd Aves, Tehsil Police have registered a case of murder and dowry-related harassment against husband Zuber Sheikh, brother-in-law Mohd Irfan and father-in-law Mohd Jalil Sheikh. Police have arrested Zuber and Irfan and produced them before the court, while the elderly father-in-law has not been arrested yet due to his age.

According to police officials, the case took a dramatic turn after Fazila’s family grew suspicious about the circumstances surrounding her death. On May 14, Fazila had reportedly called her mother in distress and pleaded for help, saying, “Save me.” Soon after the call, her mobile phone was switched off. The following day, the accused allegedly informed the family that Fazila had suffered a heart attack and insisted that her last rites be conducted in Amravati.

Trusting the claims made by the in-laws, the family took the body to Amravati for funeral rituals. However, before the burial, relatives allegedly noticed suspicious injury marks around Fazila’s neck and face while preparing the body for the final rites. The injuries raised serious doubts, prompting the family to approach police and allege murder.

Acting on the complaint, police exhumed the body and ordered a fresh post-mortem examination. The autopsy report reportedly confirmed death due to asphyxiation, clearly indicating suffocation and strangulation rather than a natural cardiac arrest.

Investigators also stated that the complaint contains disturbing allegations against brother-in-law Mohd Irfan. According to the family, after Irfan’s wife became pregnant, he allegedly developed inappropriate intentions towards Fazila, which had left her deeply distressed. Fazila had reportedly shared her ordeal with her brother before her death.

Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mendhe of Tehsil Police Station confirmed that the murder case was registered after the post-mortem findings established death by suffocation. Police said further investigation is underway to gather additional evidence and determine the exact sequence of events leading to the alleged murder.

The incident has triggered outrage in both Nagpur and Amravati, once again highlighting the continuing menace of dowry-related harassment and violence against women despite strict legal provisions.