Family blames failed relationship for dismissed IAF officer’s suicide

The 35-year-old,the first woman to be court martialled by the IAF,hanged herself from a ceiling fan when she was alone in the duplex apartment while Amit and his relatives were away in Delhi for his son’s engagement. Nearly 15 litres of petrol kept in two bottles and a carboy was also found in the room where Anjali ended her life using her own dupatta.

According to sources, even during the court martial proceedings,Anjali had been kept under “house arrest” and close observation as there were indications that she might attempt to commit suicide.

While the IAF has refused to comment on the case,holding that she was a civilian,officials said that the IAF would extend full cooperation to the police probe.

Amit had told the police that Anjali was on her way to Bangalore,where she was working with a private company,but broke her journey on September 7 to be in Bhopal. The 52-year-old identified Anjali as a “family friend” and said she refused to accompany him to Delhi for the ceremony.

On Monday,he kept avoiding the police after promising to turn up at the Shahpura Police Station.

CSP Rajesh Bhadoria said Amit would be booked under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC after the family’s member allegations.

“Amit made Anjali believe for years that he was in the process of divorcing his wife and would marry her,but when his son’s engagement was arranged she realised he had deceived her,’’ Anjali’s brother-in-law Jitender Garg told The Indian Express. No note was found on the body and the preliminary post-mortem report confirmed that Anjali had committed suicide.

Garg,a lawyer,blamed Amit for Anjali’s problems leading to Anjali’s eventual dismissal. Amit’s wife lives separately in Bhopal. Whenever Anjali came here,she stayed with Amit’s sister,Anjali’s family members said.

— With ENS,Delhi