‘Tortured Beyond Limits’: Delhi Cafe Owner’s Video Note Before Suicide, Blames Wife

A 40-year-old owner of a café in Delhi, Puneet Khurana, took his own life, leaving behind a series of video messages full of accusations against mental torture and non-stop demands from his wife, Manika Pahwa, and her family. The episode went terribly wrong in Model Town, New Delhi on December 31.

Allegations in Final Video

In the recorded statements, Mr. Khurana had narrated the distress caused by financial demands and emotional manipulation in his ongoing divorce proceedings with Ms. Pahwa. The couple had mutually decided to divorce, but according to Mr. Khurana, disputes escalated when Ms. Pahwa and her family allegedly demanded additional financial considerations, including Rs 10 lakh, which he could not fulfill.

“I am being forced beyond my capacity,” he said in a video, as his family had already contributed significantly for settling previous terms.

Family’s Claims of Harassment

Mr. Khurana‘s family alleged that Ms. Pahwa and her family were constantly harassing him. His sister even alleged that his social media accounts were hacked into and that they emotionally blackmailed him. “There is a 59-minute video where Puneet has explained the harassment he faced,” she claimed.

His mother cried and said, “He never spoke about it in front of us to protect us. We want justice for him.

Recorded Phone Call Reveals Bitter Arguments

A recording of the December 30 phone argument between Mr. Khurana and Ms. Pahwa was held in evidence by police, revealing an argumentover property as well as the couple’s bakery business, “For God‘s Cake.”

The woman was overheard using the term to refer to her husband. “You’re destroying my life,” she raged. In a resigned response, he said, “Tell me what you want; nothing matters anymore.

Sequence of Events Leading to Tragedy

The following day, Mr. Khurana was found unresponsive in his home. Preliminary investigations revealed he died by hanging. The Delhi Police have seized his mobile phone, containing the video statements and call recordings, for forensic analysis.

Background of Marital Discord

The couple married in 2016 and initially operated a café together. However, their relationship soured within two years, leading to mutual divorce proceedings. Despite legal agreements, Mr. Khurana’s family alleged that Ms. Pahwa’s additional demands and threats worsened the conflict.

Days before the incident, Ms. Pahwa shared a cryptic social media post about enduring “toxicity and narcissistic abuse,” which Mr. Khurana’s family dismissed as a diversion tactic.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest Delhi) Bhisham Singh confirmed an active investigation involving both families. “We are examining call recordings, financial transactions, and property disputes central to the case,” he said.

Mr. Khurana’s death echoes a similar case last month, where a Bengaluru tech executive, Atul Subhash, died by suicide after leaving behind a note accusing his wife and her family of harassment. The accused in that case were later arrested.

As the investigation into Mr. Khurana’s case continues, the tragedy highlights the devastating consequences of unresolved personal conflicts and the importance of addressing emotional and legal disputes sensitively.