Lufthansa air hostess found out about husband’s first marriage a month before, was upset: Police

The 39-year-old flight attendant with Lufthansa, who allegedly committed suicide in south Delhi’s Panchsheel Park, recently found out her husband was married before and was upset about it, the police suspect.

Anissia Batra came to know that Mayank Singhvi was a divorcee a month ago. They had got married on February 23, 2016, and it was a love marriage.

“He had not told her about his first marriage. After she found out about his earlier relationship, she was quite hurt. It is suspected that they must have had arguments over it,” a senior officer privy to the probe was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Anissia’s mother, Neelam Batra, has also said Singhvi had concealed the fact that he was a divorcee from them. Anissia allegedly jumped to her death from the terrace of her house on Friday.

Her parents have accused Singhvi and his parents of harassing their daughter for dowry. They have also alleged that her husband used to “physically assault” her and also ask for money. They have claimed Singhvi started “physically abusing” her right from their honeymoon and in June this year, he even assaulted her mother.

They have said Anissia sold a flat in south Delhi’s Vasant Vihar for Rs 1.2 crore in February and it was a point of friction with her husband.

Singhvi was arrested on Monday and was produced in a city court on Tuesday that sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

“We will apply for his custody after recording the statements of witnesses,” the official added.

A family friend of the victim said the police informed them about Singhvi’s court hearing half an hour before her cremation.

“The cremation was planned for 12pm today (Tuesday). The police were aware of it. We were told that the hearing would take place at 2pm but at 11:30am we were informed that the hearing was re-scheduled for 12pm. This is unacceptable and inhuman on the part of the police,” said the friend who did not wish to be named.

She claimed that Anissia’s brother did not even get a chance to say goodbye to her.

Police have said it was the duty of the investigating officer to inform Anissia’s family about the hearing.

Her family, who have alleged lapses and laxity in the probe, also accused the police of not arresting Singhvi’s parents, despite being “responsible” for her death.

“Singhvi’s family have used influence. We need media support. His parents should also be arrested because they have constantly instigated fights between them,” they alleged.

Deputy commissioner of police (south) Romil Baaniya said Singhvi’s parents have been granted exemption from joining the probe by the court till July 20 on personal grounds. They would be questioned after that, he said.

Baaniya also said they would try to ascertain the reason for the argument between the couple, following which Anissia allegedly jumped from the terrace. She had sent a message to her husband that “he would see her dead face” before taking the extreme step, police have said.

The officer said Singhvi earned Rs 4 crore per year and gave luxury items as gifts to Anissia and even gifted her a BWW car on her birthday. The car has been seized by the police.

Police have said the probe so far has indicated that Anissia “jumped” to her death and was not killed as alleged by some of her relatives.

(With PTI inputs)