Teen found dead in Delhi showroom changing room, family blames brother-in-law
Synopsis
A 19-year-old store employee was found dead inside a locked trial room of a Delhi clothing store, with blood spotted seeping under the door. Her father has named her brother-in-law Suraj as the accused — a man already embroiled in a court case with the family — while he remains at large and police scramble to make an arrest.
Key Takeaways
Shabnam , 19 , was found dead in a locked changing room of a clothing store in Moti Nagar, New Delhi on 15 November 2026 .
She had been working at the store for three months and was last seen alive at around 6:45 pm .
Blood seeping from the locked trial room door alerted workers at around 8:30 pm ; police arrived within 10 minutes .
Her father has accused her brother-in-law Suraj of the alleged murder; Suraj is currently absconding .
A prior family dispute had reportedly resulted in a court case with a hearing scheduled at Tis Hazari courts .
Police have begun questioning the accused's family members as part of the ongoing investigation.
A 19-year-old woman identified as Shabnam was allegedly found dead inside a locked changing room of a clothing store in Moti Nagar, New Delhi, on Saturday evening, 15 November 2026, police said. Her father has accused her brother-in-law, named Suraj, of the alleged murder, while the accused remains at large and a police probe is underway.
How the Body Was Discovered
Shabnam had been employed at the store for the past three months. Store employee Anshu said the victim was last seen inside the premises at around 6:45 pm. When the shop owner called at around 7:30–7:45 pm and asked Anshu to pull down the shutters, Shabnam was nowhere to be found.
The store was closed at approximately 8 pm. Around 8:30 pm, workers reviewing CCTV footage noticed the teenager had not been seen leaving the shop. Upon checking, they discovered blood seeping from beneath the door of the trial room, which was locked from the outside. Police arrived within 10 minutes of being called and found Shabnam dead inside upon opening the room.
What the Victim's Father Said
Shabnam's father, who was in his village when he received the news, rushed to Delhi immediately. He directly accused her brother-in-law, stating: 'Suraj killed her; he is our daughter's devar (husband's brother).' He further said: 'We found out at 9 at night that our daughter had been killed in the shop.' Demanding accountability, he added: 'All those involved must be punished.'
History of Family Conflict
The father revealed that a serious altercation had taken place at Shabnam's marital home approximately one and a half years ago, serious enough for a case to be filed, with a hearing reportedly scheduled at Tis Hazari courts. He also alleged that Shabnam's mother-in-law, during that earlier dispute, had made a threatening remark — that instead of slapping her, she should be killed.
Investigation Status
According to police, the accused, Suraj, is currently on the run. Investigators have begun questioning his family members as part of the ongoing probe. No arrest has been confirmed yet. The case involves multiple dimensions — a potential prior criminal history between the families and an accused who was reportedly known to the victim's workplace — that investigators are likely to pursue closely in the coming days.
Point of View
An alleged prior threat against the victim's life, and yet no protective action that could have prevented this outcome. The fact that the accused had reportedly been in a legal dispute with the victim's family for over a year raises serious questions about whether the system failed Shabnam before the crime ever occurred. Delhi's record on protecting women from domestic and familial violence remains under scrutiny, and cases like this one — where warning signs were visible — tend to test whether the law is reactive or preventive.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the victim in the Delhi showroom death case?
The victim was Shabnam , a 19-year-old woman who had been working as an employee at a clothing store in Moti Nagar, New Delhi for the past three months. She was found dead inside a locked changing room on 15 November 2026 .
Who has been accused of killing Shabnam?
Shabnam's father has accused her brother-in-law, identified as Suraj , of the alleged murder. Suraj is currently absconding, and police have begun questioning his family members as part of the investigation.
How was Shabnam's body discovered?
Workers at the store noticed at around 8:30 pm that CCTV footage showed Shabnam had not been seen leaving the premises. Upon checking, they found blood seeping from beneath the door of a locked trial room. Police arrived within 10 minutes and found her dead inside.
Was there a prior history of conflict between the families?
Yes. Shabnam's father said a major altercation had taken place at her marital home approximately one and a half years ago , resulting in a court case with a hearing reportedly scheduled at Tis Hazari courts . He also alleged her mother-in-law had made a threatening remark against Shabnam during that dispute.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have launched a formal probe and are questioning the accused's family members. The primary suspect, Suraj , remains at large as of 15 November 2026 . No arrest has been confirmed yet.
