In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves across Haryana, the body of a 24-year-old woman named Tanu Rajput was recovered from beneath a concrete slab on a public street in Roshan Nagar, Faridabad, nearly two months after she was last seen. Police believe she was murdered and secretly buried by her husband and in-laws following long-standing abuse and dowry demands.

Tanu, who hailed from Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh, had married Arun Singh in 2023. She lived with him and his family — including his parents and sister — at their home in Roshan Nagar. On Friday morning, police exhumed her severely decomposed remains from a 10-foot-deep ditch using an excavator, following weeks of pressure from her family, particularly her sister Preeti, who had insisted that something was wrong.

The pit had been dug in April, allegedly for drainage work. Local residents now say they were told at the time by Tanu’s father-in-law that the family was building a soak pit to deal with wastewater. The ditch was quickly filled and cemented over in the days following its excavation, raising suspicion only after Tanu’s unexplained disappearance.

“Everyone in the neighbourhood saw the pit being dug. He said it was for dirty water. After that, the daughter-in-law was never seen again,” one neighbour said. “Some of us thought something was wrong, but no one could imagine this.”

Family Accuses In-Laws of Prolonged Abuse

Tanu’s sister Preeti has accused the husband’s family of demanding dowry right after the wedding. She claims that Tanu was harassed — both mentally and physically — and was even forced to cut ties with her maternal family.

“Tanu came back to live with us at our maternal home just months after the wedding because she was not being treated well,” Preeti told reporters. “She stayed with us for over a year. When we finally sent her back, the torture resumed. They wouldn’t let her speak to us, not even on phone calls.”

According to Preeti, the last time anyone spoke to Tanu was on April 9. Two weeks later, the in-laws informed the family that she had “run away.” The family didn’t buy that story and approached the police — but say their complaints weren’t taken seriously at first.

“If the police had listened to us earlier, my sister’s body would have been found two months ago. The police are totally negligent,” Preeti said.

Tanu’s father, Hakim, backed those claims. He said his daughter had returned home shortly after her wedding due to persistent harassment. Although a local panchayat intervened and she was sent back, he now believes she was killed soon after.

Police Face Heat Over Delayed Action

While a missing persons report was filed by Tanu’s husband Arun on April 24, the family insists they had been raising concerns since much earlier. On Friday, nearly two months after Tanu vanished, police finally acted on the suspicions and began excavation at the site where the pit had been sealed over.

The body was recovered under the supervision of Naib Tehsildar Jaswant Singh and transported to Badshah Khan Civil Hospital for a post-mortem. A board of doctors will carry out the autopsy to determine the time and cause of death.

According to SHO Satya Prakash from Palla Police Station:

“The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition with no visible injuries. We are awaiting the autopsy report to determine the murder motive.”

Police confirmed that four individuals — Arun, his parents Bhoop Singh and Sonia, and a close relative — have been taken into custody. Investigations revealed that the pit had been dug under the pretense of fixing drainage issues, and the body was buried at night to avoid drawing attention. No external laborers were used for the job — only family members handled the burial and sealed the site swiftly.

Officials Promise Thorough Probe

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Usha Kundu addressed the press, stating:

“After receiving the complaint a week ago, the police took immediate action. The body has been recovered from the pit. Four people have been detained and interrogation is underway. The matter is being thoroughly investigated.”

Meanwhile, raids are continuing to locate any additional suspects. Police said the accused had attempted to mislead authorities by filing a missing report and spreading rumors that Tanu had eloped with someone.

Dowry Deaths Remain a Grim Reality

Tanu’s case underscores the ongoing crisis of dowry-related violence in parts of India. While dowry is illegal, enforcement remains patchy, and women often suffer silently until tragic consequences follow. Tanu’s murder — if proven — may soon become another example of how patriarchal customs and delayed police action can cost lives.

A murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been filed, along with charges related to dowry harassment. The full forensic report is awaited, and police say further arrests could follow depending on evidence.