By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 1 Aug: Dehradun police have arrested the husband and sister-in-law of newly married teacher Srishti Kandari in connection with her suspicious death in the Doiwala area. The arrests were made today from the residence of the accused at Laxman Enclave, Delhi Farm, Harrawala. It may be recalled that considering the seriousness of the case, Senior Superintendent of Police Premendra Dobhal had earlier constituted a Special Investigation Team under the leadership of Doiwala Circle Officer Vandana Verma to conduct a thorough probe.
According to the police, on July 29, 2026, Srishti Kandari‘s mother, Seema Kandari, a resident of Srikot in Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, lodged a complaint at Doiwala police station. She alleged that her daughter had married Saurabh Khatri, a resident of Harrawala, in November 2025 and that soon after the marriage, she was subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws over dowry demands and other issues. She further alleged that her daughter was ultimately killed as a result of this sustained harassment.
The complaint also alleged that Srishti was frequently branded as “inauspicious” and “unlucky” by her in-laws. According to the family, around three months after the marriage, Srishti’s father-in-law suffered a heart attack, following which, on the advice of a priest, she was allegedly declared “unlucky” by members of the family. It has also been alleged that after the recent death of her father-in-law, just three days before the incident, the mental pressure and harassment inflicted upon her intensified considerably, with family members blaming her for every misfortune in the household.
On the basis of the complaint, police registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 80(2), against husband Saurabh Khatri, mother-in-law Parveena Devi and sister-in-law Surbhi Khatri alias Charu. The investigation was entrusted to Circle Officer Vandana Verma, and a special team was formed to apprehend the accused and collect evidence.
During the course of the investigation, police recorded the statements of Seema Kandari and other witnesses. A video provided by Srishti’s mother, has emerged as a crucial piece of evidence in the case. According to the police, Srishti had sent the video before her death, in which she allegedly spoke about the continuous harassment she had been facing since her marriage at the hands of her husband and in-laws. The police officers said that this video, along with other material evidence and witness statements, formed an important basis for further legal action.
Acting swiftly on the evidence collected, the police arrested the main accused, Saurabh Khatri (36), and his sister, Surbhi Khatri alias Charu (37), from Laxman Enclave in Harrawala. Both are being interrogated. Police said the role of the named mother-in-law and any other persons involved is also being examined in detail and further legal action will be taken on the basis of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Saurabh Khatri is employed as a Private Secretary in the Uttarakhand Secretariat, while Srishti Kandari had been serving as a government school teacher (lecturer). Her family has alleged that despite enduring continuous harassment after marriage, she tried to preserve her marital relationship and rarely disclosed the extent of her suffering publicly.
According to Seema Kandari, when she was unable to contact her daughter on July 28 and 29 she requested an acquaintance to visit Srishti’s matrimonial home. It was then learnt that Srishti had been admitted to hospital. By the time the family reached Dehradun, she had already died.
Earlier, Seema Kandari appeared before the Doiwala Police Station to record her statement as part of the investigation. Police officials said all the aspects of the case are being examined thoroughly and every fact disclosed during questioning is being verified. Circle Officer (CO) Vandana Verma said the investigation is being conducted impartially and comprehensively, and further action will be based strictly on the evidence.
The bereaved family remains in deep shock following the death of the young teacher. Owing to her emotional condition, Seema Kandari was unable to speak to the media. Speaking on behalf of the family, her nephew Himanshu said Srishti would often tell her mother about the difficulties she had faced after marriage but, because of family values and her determination to save the relationship, she never openly revealed the full extent of her suffering. He alleged that she endured prolonged mental and physical harassment, which gradually broke her from within. He said her death barely eight months after her marriage had devastated the entire family.
Following the death of Srishti, the relatives and family members who gathered at Doiwala police station demanded a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation and stringent action against all those found responsible. Police have reiterated that the investigation is continuing and that the involvement of every accused person will be examined on the basis of evidence before further legal proceedings are initiated. Meanwhile, on Friday, on the directions of the chief minister, the probe in the case has been handed over to CB-CID.
