Delhi Cafe Owner Takes His Life Amid Ongoing Divorce; Family Claims Harassment by Spouse

New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Just a few days following the tragic suicide of a tech worker in Bengaluru over alleged spousal harassment connected to divorce and child custody battles, another heart-wrenching case has surfaced from the Model Town locality in Delhi.

Puneet Khurana, a 39-year-old cafe proprietor, was discovered lifeless at his Kalyan Vihar residence on Tuesday afternoon.

Puneet, who was embroiled in a contentious divorce with his wife Manika, reportedly endured relentless threats and pressure, as stated by his family and friends.

The couple had been married for eight years and co-owned their cafe business. However, they had been living separately for the past two years due to ongoing disputes.

Describing the circumstances leading up to the tragedy, a friend of Puneet shared, "He reached out to us on Monday evening, expressing that he was under tremendous stress and needed support. He voiced fears that Manika's family might harm his father and other relatives. We stayed with him until 2 a.m., attempting to reassure him that justice and the law were on his side. Despite our efforts, he appeared genuinely frightened."

Another friend added, "Puneet was typically a resilient individual, but the threats directed at his parents placed him under significant pressure."

Puneet's sister reiterated similar concerns, revealing that even after resolving their financial and business disputes, he continued to face intimidation from his wife's family.

Before taking this drastic action, Puneet reportedly recorded a video and an audio message. Although the police have not officially verified the existence of the video, a 20-minute audio recording has surfaced, featuring a conversation between Puneet and his wife late at night.

In the audio, Puneet discusses their disputes over their joint business and financial issues. Toward the end of the conversation, he threatens to reveal the truth on YouTube the next morning.

On Tuesday afternoon, Puneet was found hanging at his residence. Family members rushed him to a hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

The authorities have taken Puneet's body for a postmortem examination and confiscated his mobile phone for further investigation. Officials are scrutinizing the evidence, including the audio clip, to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.

The couple, who had no children, were in the midst of a mutually consented divorce. The ongoing investigation will concentrate on the allegations of harassment and threats, as well as the contents of Puneet's recordings.

This tragic event underscores the severe emotional impacts of marital conflicts and the urgent need for timely intervention and support.