South Delhi suicide: Delhi police to seek Mumbai police's help

New Delhi: Delhi police Monday said they will approach the Mumbai police to do a background check on Delhi-based pub owner whose wife was found dead at their residence here, as he was allegedly involved in a rape case in Mumbai three years ago.

Delhi police will seek the help of their counterparts in Mumbai for a background check on Nitin Chawla (38), arrested under charges of domestic violence and dowry deaths after his 25-year-old wife hanged herself at their residence in South Delhi's Defence Colony, leaving behind a purported suicide note.

"The police learnt that Chawla was involved in a rape case reported in Mumbai around 3 years ago. He was granted bail by a local court there in 2014. This information is to be verified for which we will write to Mumbai police tomorrow," a police officer said.

The complainant, in the rape case, had alleged that she was sexually assaulted over a period of time by Chawla on the pretext of marriage. She also alleged that the accused forged her signature in her back accounts.

All these claims need to be verified, the officer said. Chawla, a stakeholder in a few popular Delhi nightclubs and pubs was arrested after his wife, Priyanka, owner of an event management company, was found dead at their residence two days ago.

The victim's family members have alleged that her husband used to abuse her and took a huge amount as dowry.

The content of the two-page suicide note, recovered from the house and believed to be written in Priyanka's hand, also matched the allegations, police said.

Following Chawla's arrest, the police are now looking into the role of his family members in connection with the case.

Chawla had divorced his first wife, with whom he has a son (10) and a daughter (8), in December last year, police said.