Ghaziabad: A real estate broker accused of the abetment of suicide after his employee, Ashi Gautam (28), was found hanging in his Keshav Complex office in DLF area, was arrested Friday. Police said the accused, Dheeraj Kumar, had not paid the woman salary for past five months, leaving her distressed. The accused also cheated on the woman after promising marriage.Dheeraj, a resident of the DLF area, had hired Ashi as an office secretary and accountant nearly four years ago. A complaint filed by the woman’s aunt claimed the two became close over the years and eventually were romantically involved. The complainant claimed, Dheeraj had concealed that he was married and had a child.Around three to four months ago, when Ashi learnt of his marriage, Dheeraj allegedly assured her he would leave his wife. He continued visiting Ashi at her Railway Vihar home. However, when she recently raised the issue of marriage again, he allegedly threatened Ashi, her mother Renu and her sister Kashish, and began mentally and physically abusing Ashi, complainant Indu said, adding that her niece had confided in her shortly before the incident.According to Indu, Renu went to Lucknow to visit some relatives a week ago. On Jan 28, Ashi spoke to her over the phone just a few hours before she allegedly died by suicide at her office. Her body was found by Dheeraj in the afternoon, who called Dial 112. He had claimed the woman died by suicide by hanging when other employees had stepped out for lunch.Ankur Vihar ACP Gyan Prakash Rai said during questioning, Dheeraj told police he could not marry Ashi as he was married. Rai said Ashi lived in a rented house and was the sole earner for the family of three. For the past four to five months, Dheeraj had allegedly failed to pay her salary, leading to repeated demands and frequent arguments over both the relationship and unpaid wages. Police said Ashi had taken a loan and was struggling to pay the EMIs. Unable to cope with these pressures, she allegedly died by suicide, Rai said. Dheeraj was arrested under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide). Cops are yet to record the statements of the other employees employed by the real estate broker.
