Agra Dowry Death Case: Woman's Remains Exhumed 40 Days After Burial
In a shocking development from Agra region, the remains of a 25-year-old married woman were exhumed from her grave in Sudeshpur village of Chandaus area in Aligarh district, following orders from district magistrate Sanjeev Ranjan. The exhumation occurred 40 days after her death in what police are investigating as a suspected dowry death case.
Marriage and Tragic Death
Shabnam, daughter of Naseer Khan from Chhatarpur in Delhi, was married to Irfan, son of Shaukat Ali, on November 24, 2024. The young woman died on December 15, 2025, with her family initially being informed that she had succumbed to illness. Her burial took place the very next day at Sudeshpur village, seemingly closing the chapter on her untimely demise.
Father's Complaint and Police Action
The case took a dramatic turn on January 7 this year when Shabnam's father filed a formal police complaint alleging that his daughter had been murdered for dowry by her husband and six other members of his family. Acting on the complaint, police exhumed the remains on Tuesday in the presence of a magistrate for postmortem examination.
DSP Dhananjay Singh told media that "a case under relevant sections, including 80-2 (dowry death) of BNS, was registered against six people, including her husband, mother-in-law Vashiran, father-in-law Shaukat Ali, sisters-in-law Sameena and Nazir and brother-in-law Shan Mohammad. Investigation is on and action will be taken accordingly."
Allegations of Dowry Harassment
In his detailed complaint filed at Chandaus police station, Shabnam's father revealed disturbing details about the alleged harassment his daughter faced. "I had spent nearly Rs 9 lakh on the wedding of my daughter Shabnam," he stated. "Soon after the marriage, her in-laws began demanding dowry and asked for a 50 sq yard plot and a four-wheeler."
The father further alleged that "Shabnam's husband and her in-laws subjected her to physical and mental cruelty. She informed me about the harassment several times and I tried to counsel my son-in-law, but he did not pay any heed."
Final Hours and Disturbing Phone Calls
The complaint provides chilling details about Shabnam's final hours. According to her father, "On Dec 15, 2025, around 6 am, Shabnam called me and said that Irfan's family members were trying to electrocute her. Irfan forcibly snatched the mobile phone from her."
The situation escalated rapidly when "ten minutes later, Irfan's brother Shan Mohammad called me, asking me to come to Sudeshpur immediately as Shabnam's health was deteriorating. He again called me 20 minutes later and informed me that she was no more."
Upon rushing to the village, Khan found his daughter lying lifeless. He attempted to approach police but faced resistance from local authorities. "When I tried to approach the police, the village head and some other people stopped me," he stated in his complaint.
Ongoing Investigation
The case has now been formally registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with specific charges under section 80-2 pertaining to dowry death. Police authorities have assured thorough investigation into the allegations, with the exhumed remains undergoing detailed postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
This tragic incident highlights the persistent issue of dowry-related crimes in certain regions, despite legal provisions and social awareness campaigns. The 40-day delay between burial and exhumation adds complexity to the investigation, making forensic examination crucial for establishing facts in the case.
