A tragic incident has unfolded in Panipat, Haryana, where the body of a 20-year-old married woman was retrieved directly from the funeral pyre after authorities halted a covert cremation. The deceased woman's husband, Vishu, was allegedly in the process of carrying out the last rites in total secrecy at a local cremation ground. Suspecting foul play, the woman's maternal family caught wind of the development and alerted law enforcement officials, who arrived at the scene just in time to stop the pyre from being lit and secured the body for further inquiry.
A Love Marriage Followed by Household Discord
Official records have identified the deceased woman as Poonam, aged 20. According to available details, Poonam had entered into a love marriage with Vishu roughly one year ago. Soon after their wedding, persistent discord emerged between Poonam and her in-laws, ultimately leading the couple to live separately from the rest of the household. The situation worsened three days prior, when Poonam allegedly ingested acid kept inside the kitchen under highly suspicious circumstances. Due to her deteriorating condition, she was transported to Rohtak PGI for intensive medical care, where she eventually passed away during treatment.
Prior Family Trauma and Total Severance of Ties
The tragedy carries a haunting background, as Poonam's brother revealed that her father had previously taken his own life, deeply hurt by her decision to pursue an inter-personal love marriage. The family, which earned a modest livelihood running a street-side golgappa stall, subsequently broke off all contact with her following their father's death. The brother alleged that Poonam had once telephoned home while weeping inconsolably, and asserted that his sister was murdered. He noted with suspicion that merely three people were escorting her bier, and that her parental family was deliberately kept unaware of her demise.
Allegations of Negligence and Legal Demand for Justice
Advocate Narendra Bhiwan represented the maternal family's grievances, contending that Vishu had married at a very young age and failed to ensure proper, timely medical treatment for Poonam after the incident. Calling it a clear case of dowry death, the advocate pointed out that only three individuals were accompanying the funeral procession, while her biological family was excluded entirely. Emphasizing that the district administration is headed by a woman Superintendent of Police, he demanded an uncompromised probe to deliver complete justice to the grieving relatives.
Police Investigation Awaits Post-Mortem Findings
Investigating officer Chandrapal confirmed the sequence of events, stating that police mobilized immediately upon receiving the formal complaint and secured physical custody of the body. He noted that Vishu's family has claimed the woman had been administered poison. Law enforcement officials maintained that the definitive reason behind her death will only be verified once the post-mortem report is officially released and the police inquiry concludes.
