‘Poisoning, Abuse and Harassment’: Mumbai Woman Dies Mysteriously; Husband, In-Laws Held for Dowry

In a deeply unsettling incident from Mumbai’s Khar area, a 24-year-old woman, Neha Gupta, also known as Rinki, has died under mysterious circumstances, leaving the local community shocked. The Khar Police have arrested her husband, Arvind Gupta, 27, and five members of his family on suspicion of dowry-related harassment and death. Authorities are awaiting reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the final postmortem before confirming the exact cause of death. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Neha had married Arvind, a bank employee residing in Khar, in an arranged marriage on November 16, 2024. Less than a year later, her untimely death has prompted serious allegations of prolonged domestic abuse and dowry harassment. Here's what Neha's father alleges According to a complaint lodged by Neha’s father, Radheshyam Gupta, the harassment began merely two months into the marriage. He stated that despite providing a dowry of 9 lakh in cash, 18 tolas of gold, over two kilograms of silver, and various household goods, the groom’s family continued to demand additional money and a luxury Bullet motorcycle. When the demands were not met, Neha was allegedly subjected to persistent physical assault and mental torture. Her family has also leveled grave accusations of deliberate poisoning. They claimed Neha was administered unidentified substances in her meals, which caused frequent fainting spells and severe psychological distress. In her conversations with her parents, Neha reportedly expressed feelings of confusion and instability. The complaint further asserted that she was pressured into undergoing an abortion due to relentless coercion from her husband’s family. Also Read: Noida Dowry Murder: The Dark Story Behind Nikki's Death - Salon, Reels, A Mercedes & Khap Panchayat Police sources have reported inconsistencies in the medical records linked to the case. On the night of October 16, Neha was taken first to Bhabha Hospital and later to Cooper Hospital, where she was discharged around 4:30 a.m. However, upon returning home, her condition quickly deteriorated. When she was rushed back to the hospital, doctors declared her dead on arrival. An investigating officer at Khar Police Station confirmed that Neha suffered continued physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her in-laws. The police are awaiting forensic confirmation to determine whether poisoning played a role in her death or if it was caused by any other factor. A case has been registered under multiple stringent provisions of BNS, including Section 80 (Dowry Death), Section 123 (Causing Harm by Poisoning), and other related sections concerning cruelty and criminal intimidation. All six accused, including Neha’s husband, remain in police custody as the investigation continues. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Mumbai, India and around the world.