Second autopsy after woman lawyer’s death in locked flat raises family’s doubts

Hazaribag: A second post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday on the body of 28-year-old Anushka Chakraborty, a day after the lawyer was found hanging inside the room of her apartment in Hazaribag’s Bengali Colony, as her family refused to accept the death as a suicide and demanded a deeper probe.Anushka’s body was found around 10 am on Thursday in the apartment, which falls under Bada Bazar police station limits. Police have seized electronic devices and are examining the sequence of events before her death, including how and when the flat’s electronic code lock was activated.Her brother, Devjit Chakraborty, has raised questions over a message reportedly sent to their mother before the death. He said Anushka usually communicated with her mother through calls or voice notes and, whenever she texted, wrote in Bengali. The final message, however, was typed in Hindi.The message reportedly said: “Mom, please forgive me, but I cannot bear this anymore. I know I cannot come back home. My husband himself told me that only my corpse will leave from here, so this is for the best. I will not be able to live. I am completely exhausted now. I just can’t do this anymore. Sorry, Mom.”Devjit alleged that Anushka had suffered a miscarriage days earlier and was later taunted and mentally harassed by her husband, Kushagra Rudra, and her in-laws over her inability to bear a child. Police have not independently established the allegations, which remain under investigation.The family has also pointed to photographs and videos from Sindoor Khela celebrations on Wednesday, saying Anushka appeared happy hours before her death.Bada Bazar police station officer in-charge Mukesh Kumar Rajak said police were looking for Rudra, who had not returned to Hazaribag even 24 hours after the incident. Police said Rudra called emergency number 100 but did not come to the apartment. When contacted, he reportedly said he was in Palamu and would return soon.Police entered the flat with help from Rudra’s driver. Investigators are now trying to determine who locked the apartment and when. Anushka’s parents have demanded justice. Ramgarh MLA Mamta Devi met the family at Sadar Hospital.Stay updated with the latest Ranchi news. Download the TOI App.