Pregnant Delhi Police SWAT commando beaten to death by husband, brother recalls chilling call moments before attack

• What happened: Kajal Chaudhary, a 27-year-old Delhi Police SWAT commando, was brutally assaulted with a dumbbell by her husband at their west Delhi home and later died in hospital.

• Why it matters now: The killing of a pregnant police officer has triggered outrage, spotlighting domestic violence, dowry abuse, and gaps in early intervention.

• What changes for people: The case has been converted from attempt to murder to murder, with police widening the probe into dowry harassment and family involvement.

• Who is affected: The victim’s one-and-a-half-year-old child, her family, the Delhi Police fraternity, and the accused, a Ministry of Defence employee.

A chilling case of domestic violence has shaken Delhi after a pregnant Special Weapons and Tactics commando of the Delhi Police succumbed to injuries allegedly inflicted by her husband using a dumbbell. The attack unfolded at the couple’s residence in Mohan Garden, west Delhi, with the victim battling for life for five days before dying.

What happened on the night of the attack

According to police and family accounts, Kajal Chaudhary, who was four months pregnant, was assaulted on January 22. She was rushed between multiple hospitals before being admitted to a Ghaziabad facility, where she died on January 27.

Her husband, Ankur Chaudhary, a clerk posted at Delhi Cantonment, was arrested within hours. Investigators say the assault began with her head being smashed against a door frame, followed by repeated blows with a dumbbell.

Brother recounts the chilling phone call

Kajal’s brother Nikhil Chaudhary, a constable at Parliament Street Police Station, told investigators he was on the phone during the assault.

He said the accused asked him to keep the call on recording, claiming it could be used as evidence, before stating that he was killing his sister. Moments later, Nikhil heard her screams before the call abruptly disconnected. Minutes after, another call followed, telling him she was “dead” and asking the family to come to the hospital.

Allegations of prolonged abuse and dowry harassment

The family has accused the husband and his relatives of sustained physical and mental abuse, including during Kajal’s pregnancy. They allege she was forced to do household chores despite her condition and had been slapped months earlier, an incident after which the accused reportedly apologised and promised reform.

Kajal’s father said the family had given a Bullet motorcycle, gold jewellery and cash at the wedding, spending nearly ₹20 lakh, but harassment continued with demands for more. Her mother alleged the accused had also taken ₹5 lakh from Kajal.

Police investigation and legal action

Delhi Police confirmed that financial stress and domestic disputes were among the triggers for frequent arguments. A case was initially registered for attempt to murder at Mohan Garden Police Station based on the brother’s complaint.

Following Kajal’s death, authorities said the charges would be converted to murder, and the investigation would examine dowry-related offences and the role of other family members.

A case that raises urgent questions

The death of a serving police commando, trained to confront violent crime, has intensified calls for stronger mechanisms to identify and act on early signs of domestic abuse, even within law enforcement families. Women’s rights groups say the case underscores how pregnancy can heighten vulnerability in abusive households.

Kajal is survived by her one-and-a-half-year-old son, now in the care of her maternal grandparents.

What to watch next

• Whether police add dowry death charges as the probe progresses.

• Outcomes of the forensic and call-recording evidence.

• Any departmental or policy response to strengthen protections for women facing domestic violence.