New Delhi: The family of 40-year-old Puneet Khurana has alleged that his estranged wife, Manika Pahwa, and her family had been subjecting him to mental torture, which drove him to the extreme. The allegation came after the Delhi businessman died by suicide at his Model Town residence on Tuesday.
Puneet’s sister was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, “Manika Pahwa, her parents and her sister forced my brother, stressed him out, instigated him by saying, ‘you can’t do anything, die by suicide if you dare’. Puneet shot a video before his death, it is on his phone, he has said everything, about how Manika and his parents pressured him mentally. They threatened to throw our parents out and dared him to open his shop’s shutter. They kept abusing him.”
‘She kept calling him and demanding her share’
When she was asked about the business wrangle between the couple, Puneet’s sister said, “They earlier ran the bakery business in partnership. But when the first notion for divorce was signed, it was decided and put in writing that Puneet would manage For God’s bakery and Manika would get Woodbox Cafe. It was signed. Even after that, she kept saying that she won’t leave her share. When the matter has been decided in court, go and raise the issue there. She kept calling him and demanding her share.”
She also accused Manika of hacking Puneet’s Instagram account. “She misbehaved with people through his Instagram account. It is because of this that my brother had to call her at 3 am. We have the recording.”
Puneet’s mother stated that she had hoped her son and Manika would be fine after their separation. “But she kept torturing my son and he suffered in silence. The two shared the business, they would have disputes over it. He would not say anything openly to us, thinking that my parents would be upset. He kept swallowing his grief. My son was doing well, but she tortured him so much yesterday that he took this step. I lost my son, please ensure justice for him so that his soul rests in peace,” she was quoted as saying by ANI.
The family has filed a police complaint, calling for action against Manika and her family. As per police, Puneet died by hanging on Tuesday afternoon. He had talked to Manika the previous night, and the recorded conversation shows them arguing over business matters.
DCP North West Delhi, Bhisham Singh said, “The father of deceased Puneet said that his son was going through marital discord and he alleged that his daughter-in-law harassed his son due to which he committed suicide. We have seized the deceased man’s mobile phone and the family’s claims are being verified. An inquiry is being conducted with both families joining the investigation. Manika’s family has levelled counter-allegations…A divorce case is also underway.”
