Punjab Woman Faces Charges in Husband's Australia Suicide Case
Police in Barnala district have registered a case against a woman for allegedly abetting her husband's suicide in Australia. The Mehal Kalan police station filed charges under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Sukhjit Kaur, originally from Dhurkot Ransih village in Moga district.
Family Alleges Systematic Harassment
Ranjit Singh of Mehal Kalan approached police on October 15, 2035, with a detailed complaint about his son's death. He stated that Sarabjit Singh married Sukhjit Kaur approximately twelve years ago. Both cleared the IELTS examination and migrated to Australia, where they had two sons together.
The father's complaint outlines a disturbing pattern of alleged harassment. According to Ranjit Singh, his daughter-in-law wanted to remove Sarabjit from their life. She reportedly told him about a visa extension interview scheduled for June 17, 2025. When Sarabjit arrived for what he believed was a routine immigration meeting, authorities instead detained him for deportation proceedings.
Sukhjit Kaur had apparently initiated the deportation application without her husband's knowledge. Sarabjit contacted his lawyer, who attempted to reach Sukhjit for clarification. She allegedly refused to respond to any queries about the situation.
Financial Manipulation and Emotional Pressure
The complaint further alleges that Sukhjit Kaur transferred all funds from their joint bank account to her personal account during this period. She also reportedly secured property documents exclusively in her name. When Sarabjit confronted his wife about these actions, she allegedly intensified her harassment.
"She told him to leave Australia or face arrest," the complaint states. The father claims his daughter-in-law restricted Sarabjit's access to their children, allowing him to see them only twice despite living in the same country.
In September 2025, Ranjit Singh and his wife traveled to Canada to visit their daughter. During a phone conversation on September 27, Sarabjit sounded extremely distressed according to his parents. When they tried calling back later, he did not answer. Through friends in Australia, the family eventually learned about his death.
Legal Basis for Indian Jurisdiction
Barnala Senior Superintendent of Police Sarfaraz Alam explained the legal reasoning behind registering the case in India. "Both the deceased and the accused are Indian citizens," Alam told reporters. "Under Section 1(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Indian criminal laws apply to citizens regardless of where they commit offences."
The police sought legal opinion before proceeding with the case. Legal officers confirmed that Section 184 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita specifically addresses offences committed outside India by Indian citizens. This provision allows authorities to treat such cases as if they occurred within Indian territory.
"The evidentiary requirements are substantial," Alam noted regarding the international dimensions of the case. "We need central government approval and international cooperation to proceed effectively." The police have registered the case against Sukhjit Kaur and are investigating the potential involvement of her relatives.
The complaint names Sukhjit's mother Inderjit Kaur, sister Harjit Kaur, brother Jasdeep Singh, and uncle Buta Singh as allegedly supporting her actions. All these relatives currently reside in Canada according to the police report.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Sarabjit Singh's death. They must navigate complex international legal procedures while building their case against the accused woman and her family members.
