Chandigarh: 18-year-old domestic help found dead in Sector 10 house, family alleges murder

Chandigarh crime: An 18-year-old domestic worker was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a house in Chandigarh's Sector 10 on Saturday. While the initial information points towards suicide, the girl's family has alleged that she was murdered and has demanded an impartial probe.

The deceased, identified as Tapti, was a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district. According to her family, she had started working at the Sector 10 residence only about a week ago.

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Family members said Tapti spoke to her sister, Priyanka, around 11 pm on Friday. During the call, she reportedly said she was unhappy at the house and claimed that she was being troubled. Her relatives said Priyanka advised her to leave the job if she was uncomfortable and return home the next morning. However, Tapti did not explain the situation in detail and ended the call shortly afterwards.

The family tried contacting her again several times, but her mobile phone remained switched off.

Driver informed family the next morning

According to Tapti's brother-in-law, Vikas, the family received a phone call around 8.30 am on Saturday from the driver employed at the same house. He informed them that Tapti had allegedly died by suicide after hanging herself.

Vikas said he immediately requested that nobody should touch the body or disturb the scene until family members arrived. He wanted them to see the situation exactly as it was.

Body shifted before family arrived

However, when the family reached the house, Tapti's body had already been taken to Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16.

The family questioned why the body had been removed despite their request to wait. They also raised concerns about the house owner's version of events.

According to Vikas, when they asked the owner about the incident, he was told that the room door had been open.

The family found this explanation difficult to believe, arguing that it was unusual for a young woman sleeping alone at night to leave her room unlocked.

Family seeks fair investigation

Tapti's relatives also questioned whether the police had been informed immediately after the incident. They claimed the body was shifted before they could reach the spot, which, according to them, may have affected important evidence.

Rejecting the suicide theory, the family alleged that something serious had happened inside the house and claimed Tapti was murdered. They have demanded strict action against the house owner and a transparent investigation into the case.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Police have sent the body for postmortem examination at the Sector 16 Government Hospital. Officials said the exact cause of death will be determined after the postmortem report, forensic findings and the ongoing investigation are completed.

Note: Suicide is a serious mental health issue. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. Reach out to trusted family or friends, or contact the Government of India’s Jeevan Aastha helpline at 1800 233 3330 for support. You are not alone, and help is available.

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