Pernem, Oct. 2: Nearly two weeks after a woman died by suicide, her husband, who is employed with the Goa Police, has sought a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, alleging that sustained harassment and interference by a third person pushed her into severe mental distress.

In a detailed written complaint submitted on September 1, the husband has sought registration of an offence for abetment of suicide and other applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. However, no FIR has been registered so far, according to information available.

The woman died on August 18, following which an unnatural death case was registered. The couple had been married since 2011 and have two minor daughters.

In his complaint, the husband has alleged that a person known to the family repeatedly interfered in their marital life by contacting his wife and allegedly feeding her information intended to create suspicion and misunderstanding between the couple. He claimed this resulted in repeated quarrels and considerable emotional distress within the family.

More seriously, the complaint alleges that even after the couple had resolved their differences, the person resumed contacting the woman from around the second week of June. The husband claimed his wife informed him about the calls and messages and had also recorded some of her conversations with the person.

According to the complaint, the woman subsequently told her husband that she was being harassed and followed. The husband claimed he wanted to approach the police at that stage, but his wife allegedly discouraged him because she feared for the safety of their minor daughters.

The complainant has now urged police to investigate whether this alleged pattern of harassment and interference had any connection with his wife’s death.

Significantly, he has claimed to have submitted a pen drive containing purported evidence along with his written complaint. He has also requested police to examine relevant mobile phones and electronic records as part of a forensic investigation.

The complaint contains several other serious allegations against the person concerned, including claims about involvement in illegal activities. These allegations remain the complainant’s assertions and have not been independently established. Gaonkaari is therefore withholding the person’s identity at this stage.

The central question now is whether the material submitted by the husband discloses grounds for registration of a criminal case and a wider investigation. With an allegation of abetment of suicide formally placed before the authorities and purported digital evidence offered for examination, the absence of an FIR so far is likely to raise questions over the progress of the police inquiry.