Video shows newlywed struggling before death:Family alleges she was poisoned over ₹6 lakh dowry; fake doctor’s slip sent

Angry relatives, upset over the lack of action in the suspicious death of a newlywed woman in Jabalpur, blocked the Katangi–Patan road on Thursday. Villagers set up a tent in the middle of the road in the woman’s village, Kaimori, and began a protest demanding strict action against the accused. Family members alleged that nearly 19 days have passed since the incident, but the police have not taken any concrete action against those accused. In protest, a large number of villagers and relatives came out onto the road and blocked the Katangi–Patan route. Meanwhile, a video recorded before the woman’s death has surfaced. In the clip, the newlywed is seen sitting on a bed and struggling, repeatedly asking for water. Members of her in-laws’ family are seen recording the video while she is in distress. She is later given water. The video was sent to her parental family. Villagers demand action After the video surfaced, villagers and relatives grew more angry and intensified their protest. They demanded immediate and strict action against those responsible for the woman’s death. Marriage took place on February 6 According to family members, Pooja Sahu, a resident of Kaimori, was married to Nikhil Sahu, a resident of the Lordganj area in Jabalpur, on February 6, 2026. She left for her in-laws’ house the next day. On February 10, her family brought her back to her parental home. Relatives say that when the in-laws came to take her back on February 13, the issue of dowry was raised again. After this, on February 20, Pooja went to Ujjain with her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law. Family members say Pooja died under suspicious circumstances in Ujjain on February 21. They allege that the in-laws kept sending videos to the family claiming she was ill and continued to demand money, but she was not admitted to any hospital. Allegation of demanding 10 lakh rupees as dowry According to the family, the in-laws had demanded ₹10 lakh at the time of marriage. The bride’s family said they had already given around ₹4 lakh in cash along with gold-silver jewellery and household items. Continuous pressure was later put on them for the remaining ₹6 lakh. In a complaint submitted to the police, it has been alleged that on February 20, husband Nikhil Sahu, father-in-law Naresh Sahu, mother-in-law Jyoti Sahu and sister-in-law Namrata Sahu took Pooja to Ujjain. In the video sent on the morning of February 21, her condition appeared critical and it is alleged she was being made to drink something. Later, the family was informed over the phone that she had died. Pooja’s relatives claim that since the dowry demand was not fulfilled, the in-laws conspired to kill her by giving poison in Ujjain. They also allege that videos showing her as ill were sent to mislead them and a fake doctor’s prescription was prepared. Brother alleges harassment over dowry Pooja’s brother, Vineet Sahu, said that during the wedding the in-laws had demanded ₹10 lakh. The family gave ₹4 lakh in cash at the time of marriage and sought time until April to pay the remaining ₹6 lakh. He alleged that after returning to her in-laws’ home, Pooja often called her family and said she was being harassed for dowry and asked them to arrange the money quickly. Police yet to share post-mortem details Vineet Sahu said the police have not yet informed the family about the post-mortem report or any action taken in the case. After the road blockade on Thursday, police told them that statements would be recorded at Bada Tendukheda police station in Narsinghpur. He also claimed that Pooja had already died on the morning of February 21, but the in-laws did not inform the family immediately. Instead, they were asked to meet near the Dhanvantari Nagar bypass with an Aadhaar card and an ambulance, saying she would be admitted to a hospital. Victim was a teacher According to her family, Pooja was 28 years old and held BA and D.El.Ed degrees. She had been teaching at a private school in the village for nearly 10 years. The marriage between Pooja and Nikhil was arranged through acquaintances known to both families. Demand for arrest of accused Even after 19 days, the family and villagers remain angry over the lack of action. Protesters have demanded the immediate arrest of all accused from the in-laws’ family, including the husband. After receiving information about the road blockade, police reached the spot and tried to persuade the protesters. The matter is currently under investigation.