Etawah Newlywed Found Hanging on Holi: Family Alleges Dowry Murder, Police Probe Underway
Etawah, Uttar Pradesh — A tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district has sparked outrage after a newly married woman was found hanging inside her home on the day of Holi, turning celebrations into mourning. The woman’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of killing her over dowry demands and then staging the scene to look like suicide. Police have launched an investigation and sent the body for post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Body Discovered Inside Room
According to police officials, the incident took place in the village of Madhaiya Musawali in Etawah. The victim, identified as 22-year-old Gunjan, was married to Pawan Kumar in April 2025. On the morning of the incident, she was inside her room at home when the shocking discovery was made.
Family members said Pawan had gone to the fields to irrigate crops, while other members of the household were busy with routine chores outside the house. A small child playing near the room noticed the door open and looked inside.
The child reportedly saw Gunjan hanging from a noose and began screaming, alerting other family members. Relatives rushed to the room and quickly cut the rope before taking her to the district hospital. However, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
The news of the death spread quickly through the village and shocked residents, especially because the incident occurred during Holi celebrations.
Family Accuses In-Laws of Dowry Harassment
Soon after the incident, members of Gunjan’s family reached the hospital and accused her husband and in-laws of murdering her for dowry. Her father, Rakesh Babu, a resident of Agra district, alleged that his daughter had been facing harassment since the marriage because the groom’s family demanded ₹4 lakh in cash.
According to the father, despite providing dowry at the time of the wedding, the demands continued and Gunjan was frequently subjected to mental and physical harassment. He claimed the accused family members killed her and then hanged the body to make it appear as if she had died by suicide.
The grieving family also said Gunjan was about five months pregnant, making the incident even more disturbing and adding to the tragedy. They demanded strict action against the accused and called for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
Tension and Chaos at Hospital
The situation became tense at the hospital when members of the victim’s family confronted the in-laws and accused them of murder. Heated arguments reportedly broke out between both sides, which soon escalated into a scuffle.
Police officers present at the hospital intervened to control the situation and separated the two groups. For some time, chaos and panic prevailed as a large crowd gathered after hearing about the incident.
Police Begin Investigation
Local police reached the village after receiving information about the incident and began an investigation. Officers inspected the room where the body was found and collected evidence from the scene.
Station House Officer Vikram Singh Chauhan said the body had been sent for post-mortem examination, which would help determine the exact cause of death. He added that further legal action would be taken based on the post-mortem report and the complaint filed by the victim’s family.
Police have also registered a case against the husband and several members of his family under charges related to dowry death. Authorities are now searching for the accused and conducting further questioning.
Investigation Ongoing
The tragic death has once again highlighted the persistent problem of dowry-related violence in parts of the country. While police await forensic and post-mortem findings, the victim’s family continues to demand justice and strict punishment for those responsible.
Officials say the investigation will determine whether the woman died by suicide or was murdered and the body later hanged to mislead authorities. Until then, the incident remains under detailed police scrutiny.
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Conclusion
A young newlywed, five months pregnant, found hanging on Holi. Her family says she was killed for dowry. As Etawah waits for answers, another life has been lost to a crime that refuses to die.
Gunjan, 22, married in April 2025, died on Holi 2026. Her family demands justice—and an end to dowry deaths.
