Madurai: In a significant intervention into the suspicious death of a four-month-pregnant woman in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, who belongs to the 1994 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS), to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The court has also ordered a fresh postmortem by a neutral multidisciplinary medical board within 48 hours to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
The directions were issued by Justice L. Victoria Gowri while hearing a petition filed by S. Fathima Beevi, the mother of the deceased Afrin, who alleged that her daughter had been subjected to persistent dowry harassment by her husband and in-laws before her death.
Court Orders SIT and Fresh Postmortem
The High Court directed the DGP to immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team to investigate the circumstances surrounding Afrin’s death.
Additionally, the court instructed the Director of Medical Education (DME) to form an independent multidisciplinary medical board to conduct a re-postmortem on the deceased’s body within 48 hours.
The court’s order aims to ensure transparency in the investigation amid allegations that crucial evidence may have been overlooked.
Mother Alleges Dowry Harassment
According to the petition filed before the High Court, Afrin married Mohammed Ashraf, son of a former chairman of the Thiruppathur Town Panchayat, on January 25, 2026.
Her mother stated that during the marriage, the family had provided:
- 19.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery
- Household articles and other customary gifts
However, after the marriage, Afrin allegedly informed her family that her husband and in-laws continued demanding additional dowry and subjected her to physical and mental harassment.
Suspicious Death of Four-Month Pregnant Woman
The petition states that on June 17, 2026, Mohammed Ashraf called Afrin’s mother, claiming that Afrin had locked herself inside a room.
When Fathima Beevi reached the residence around 20 minutes later, she found that her son-in-law opened the room from outside. Afrin, who was four months pregnant, was found dead inside the room in what was initially presented as a case of suicide.
However, after noticing external injuries on her daughter’s body, Beevi suspected foul play and lodged a complaint with the police.
Allegations of Influence Over Investigation
The petitioner further alleged that Afrin’s in-laws wield considerable political and social influence, raising concerns over the fairness of the investigation.
She sought several directions from the High Court, including:
- Constitution of an independent SIT.
- Preservation of CCTV footage related to the postmortem process.
- Re-examination of postmortem records.
- A fresh forensic examination by an independent medical board.
Court Stresses Importance of Scientific Investigation
While passing the order, Justice L. Victoria Gowri made significant observations regarding the investigation of suspicious deaths.
The court remarked that in cases involving unnatural or suspicious deaths, the body itself often becomes the most truthful witness, capable of revealing facts that living witnesses may be unable, unwilling, or afraid to disclose.
The court emphasized that a thorough scientific investigation was essential to uncover the truth and ensure justice.
Fresh Investigation to Begin
With the High Court’s directions, the Tamil Nadu Police will now constitute a Special Investigation Team, while the Director of Medical Education will arrange for a fresh postmortem examination through an independent panel of experts.
The outcome of the renewed investigation is expected to determine whether Afrin’s death was a suicide or whether it involved criminal acts linked to the alleged dowry harassment.
