According to the police, Puneet was found hanging in his house. Investigations revealed that his death was intertwined with ongoing divorce proceedings. The family of the deceased stated that Puneet was distressed by conflicts with his wife, particularly as their mutual decision to divorce had evolved into a contentious legal battle.

In one of the videos recorded before his death, Puneet spoke about the mental torture he endured and the unreasonable financial demands from his wife and in-laws. These demands, according to him, became insurmountable, pushing him into despair. His recorded statements painted a grim picture of his life in the days leading up to his tragic end, leaving little doubt about the strain he faced.

Puneet further elaborated on how the divorce proceedings, initially begun with mutual consent, had escalated into a bitter feud. He specifically mentioned the financial strain caused by his in-laws, who allegedly demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh from him. Puneet’s words reflected his helplessness, as he confessed that meeting such demands was financially impossible.

In the series of video statements left behind by Puneet Khurana, he expressed his frustration and helplessness regarding the ongoing divorce proceedings. "We have already filed for a mutual divorce on certain agreed terms and conditions. When it comes to mutual divorce, there are certain terms and conditions, which we have mutually agreed upon," Puneet can be heard saying in one of the videos.

He elaborated that both parties had committed to respecting the court’s decision and fulfilling the agreed-upon conditions within the stipulated timeframe. Puneet further clarified, "We have signed a bond in court. We have committed to respect the court and agreed to fulfill those conditions within a stipulated time period that is usually allocated by the court for 180 days. We are approximately 90 days through the stipulated time period and another 90 days are left." This explanation highlighted his adherence to the legal process while shedding light on the pressures that followed.

However, the situation, as described by Puneet, took a drastic turn due to new and unbearable demands from his wife and her family. He revealed, "I am about to commit suicide because I am extremely tortured by my in-laws and my wife. We have already filed for mutual divorce on certain terms and conditions. Obviously, when it comes to mutual divorce we have signed some conditions in court. We have to fulfil those conditions within the period of 180 days. But my in-laws and my wife are pressurising me with a new set of conditions which are beyond my scope."

Among these demands was an additional sum of Rs 10 lakh, a burden Puneet declared he could not bear. He expressed his anguish, stating, "They are asking for another Rs 10 lakh which I don't have the capacity to pay. I cannot ask my parents as they already have paid enough." These words reflected not only his financial struggles but also the emotional toll these demands had taken on him, leaving him feeling trapped and overwhelmed.

As of now, neither his wife nor her parents have commented on the allegations made in Puneet’s videos. Their silence has added to the questions surrounding the tragic circumstances of his death, leaving many seeking answers and justice.

According to Puneet Khurana’s family, his final phone conversation before his tragic death was with his wife, Manika Pahwa. The topic of discussion revolved around their shared bakery business, a venture they co-founded. During the call, Puneet’s wife allegedly asserted that despite the ongoing divorce proceedings, he would not be able to separate her from the business.

The family further alleged that Puneet was subjected to relentless harassment by Manika, her sister, and her parents. Speaking to ANI, Puneet’s sister revealed, "Manika Pahwa, her sister and parents mentally tortured and harassed him. There is a video recording of around 59 minutes, in which Puneet has mentioned details of harassment he faced. The woman had even hacked Puneet's social media account." This revelation points to an alarming level of intrusion and emotional distress faced by Puneet in the days leading up to his death.

Adding to the evidence, a CCTV recording from their Model Town residence has surfaced, capturing a heated argument between Puneet and his wife. The footage shows the couple seated in an empty room, engaged in a tense verbal exchange. The video, which contains strong language, depicts Manika yelling at and abusing Puneet over undisclosed issues. At one point, Manika is heard saying, "I’m giving you 10 minutes, sitting here quietly. Tell me what you want to do. Give me a straight answer." Puneet’s response, "Any day," is subdued, reflecting the stark power dynamic in the confrontation.

The disturbing footage has been criticized by Puneet’s cousin, Jitendra Khurana, who highlighted the stark contrast in behavior. "In the CCTV, it’s clearly seen how rudely and abusively the girl is speaking and Puneet was a decent person. Tell me, where will you find such boys today who don’t react? This is the difference in values, the values our children had, and the values their children have," Jitendra remarked, emphasizing Puneet’s restraint during the argument.

In addition to this, another video has emerged, dated October 12, 2023, in which Puneet can be seen discussing a financial matter with his father-in-law, Jagdish Pahwa. The conversation involved a promise by Jagdish to transfer ₹2 crore for a house registered in Manika’s name. However, Puneet’s family claimed that Jagdish later reneged on this promise. They further alleged that they possessed an audio clip where Jagdish could be heard denying his previous commitment.

Puneet’s family believes these incidents contributed significantly to the immense pressure he was under. They also alleged that Jagdish often resorted to threats after withdrawing from his promises. These repeated episodes of betrayal and harassment created a suffocating environment for Puneet, eventually pushing him to take his own life.

Days after these troubling events, Puneet Khurana was found dead in his bedroom, leaving behind a series of videos detailing the emotional and financial torment he endured.

‘Please Ensure Justice for My Son’

Puneet Khurana’s mother shared her grief, recounting how her son endured relentless emotional suffering during his marriage to Manika Pahwa. Reflecting on their initial days, she said, "For a year Khurana and Pahwa were fine, but after that, there were frequent issues between the two of them. I even separated them at one point, thinking it would bring them happiness. But even then, she continued to torture my child. My son quietly endured it all," she told ANI. Her words painted a heart-wrenching picture of a mother’s helplessness as she watched her son suffer silently.

Pleading for justice, she elaborated on the struggles her son faced, explaining how the conflicts ranged from financial disputes to problems with their joint business and family matters. "Sometimes it was about money, sometimes about their joint business, and other times family matters. My son never spoke openly, not to his mother or father. He would think, ‘Why burden my parents with tension?’ He kept swallowing his sorrow and pain silently, and I don’t know what she did yesterday. Earlier, he had recovered, but yesterday, she tortured him so much that he took this step," she added. Her emotional plea highlighted the depth of Puneet’s anguish and his efforts to shield his parents from his struggles.

The Allegations

Puneet’s family has alleged that Manika Pahwa, along with her sister and parents, subjected him to continuous harassment. According to Puneet’s sister, the abuse was multifaceted, involving not only financial demands but also emotional manipulation and invasion of his privacy. She revealed, "She, her sister, and her parents mentally tortured and harassed him. There is a video recording of around 59 minutes, in which Puneet has mentioned details of harassment he faced. The woman had even hacked Puneet's social media account."

The family’s accusations go beyond financial exploitation, pointing to a pattern of psychological abuse that left Puneet isolated and distressed. His mother shared that her son suffered in silence, choosing not to share his pain with his family to avoid causing them further stress. "She (Ms Pahwa) used to keep torturing him...I want justice for him," she said, reiterating her demand for accountability for her son’s tragic death.

Sequence Of Events

On December 30, Puneet Khurana allegedly had a heated phone conversation with his wife, Manika Pahwa. The call, which lasted for 15 minutes and is now in police custody, revealed bitter exchanges over their shared property and co-owned bakery business, "For God’s Cake." The recording captured derogatory remarks and accusations made by Ms. Pahwa against Puneet.

"Beggar, tell me what have you asked for. I do not want to see your face. If you come in front of me, I will slap you. If the divorce is going on, will you remove me from the business? Then you will say, 'if you threaten me, I will commit suicide,'” she said during the call. Puneet, in a calm yet resigned tone, responded, "All of this doesn't matter anymore. Just tell me what you want."

The next day, on December 31, tragedy struck. At approximately 4:20 PM, the Delhi Police received a distress call reporting the incident. When they arrived at Puneet’s residence, they found him unresponsive on his bed with a mark around his neck. The police later confirmed that he had died by hanging. As part of their investigation, the police seized Puneet’s mobile phone, which contained his video statement along with the recorded phone calls.

History Of Marital Discord

Puneet Khurana and Manika Pahwa were married in 2016 and initially found success running the popular Woodbox Cafe together. However, by 2018, their relationship had deteriorated, prompting the couple to file for mutual divorce. Although court-mandated conditions were set for their separation, Puneet’s family claims that Manika repeatedly threatened to escalate the conflict, including filing false legal cases, if her demands were not met.

In the days leading up to Puneet’s death, Ms. Pahwa posted a cryptic message on social media, stating she had endured "toxicity and narcissistic abuse" and was now free. Her post referred to her alleged abusers as "insecure cowards," framing herself as a survivor.

However, Puneet’s family has challenged these claims, describing her statements as a deliberate ploy to divert attention from her actions. They allege that her public remarks were timed strategically to deflect scrutiny and preemptively present herself as a victim.

The family further revealed that Ms. Pahwa made five specific demands during the divorce proceedings, one of which included Rs. 70,000 per month as a lawyer’s fee.

The Probe

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest Delhi) Bhisham Singh confirmed that an extensive inquiry is underway to investigate the tragic death of Puneet Khurana. Statements are being recorded from both families involved in the case to piece together the events leading to his death. "The father of Puneet Khurana said that his son was going through marital discord and alleged that his daughter-in-law harassed him, which led to his suicide," DCP Singh stated.

He further added, "We have seized the man's mobile phone, and the family's claims are being verified. An inquiry is underway with both families participating in the investigation. Manika's family has made counter-allegations, and a divorce case is also ongoing." This indicates that the case has complexities involving conflicting narratives from both sides, which the police are diligently examining.

The investigation has so far retrieved critical evidence, including call recordings, CCTV footage, and Puneet’s mobile phone. These materials have been sent for forensic analysis to uncover any hidden details or corroborate the claims made by the parties involved. The police are also focusing on financial transactions and property disputes, which are said to have played a pivotal role in the marital discord.

Puneet Khurana’s suicide, though tragic, is not an isolated incident. In a similar case last month, Bengaluru-based tech executive Atul Subhash took his own life, leaving behind a 24-page note accusing his wife and her family of harassment. The note detailed a systematic campaign of legal and emotional abuse, which he said left him with no option but to protect his elderly parents by ending his life.

Following the revelations in Mr. Subhash’s case, his wife and her family were arrested. These incidents highlight a growing concern over the unchecked emotional and legal abuse faced by individuals, emphasizing the urgent need for more comprehensive legal and societal measures to prevent such tragedies.