Delhi

Delhi Cafe Co-Owner Found Dead Amid Divorce and Business Dispute

Puneet Khurana, co-founder of Delhi’s Woodbox Cafe, was reportedly found dead at his residence amid ongoing marital and business conflicts.

New Delhi: Puneet Khurana, a 40-year-old co-founder of Delhi’s well-known Woodbox Cafe, was found dead at his residence in Model Town’s Kalyan Vihar area on Tuesday evening. Police suspect the death to be a case of suicide.

According to authorities, Khurana was discovered hanging in his room. He had been embroiled in a contentious divorce and business dispute with his wife, Manika Jagdish Pahwa. The couple, who married in 2016, co-owned the cafe and were reportedly in conflict over business-related matters, officials said.

Family members disclosed that Khurana had been “upset” due to ongoing tensions with his wife.

A 16-minute audio recording, reportedly obtained by external source, revealed a heated exchange between the couple. In the recording, Pahwa can be heard stating, “We are getting a divorce, but I am still a business partner…you need to clear my dues.”

Police have retrieved Khurana’s phone and called Pahwa for questioning as part of their investigation.

The tragic incident follows a similar case in Bengaluru, where 34-year-old tech professional Atul Subhash died by suicide in December, leaving behind a detailed note accusing his wife and her family of harassment. In the note, Subhash alleged false cases had been filed against him and expressed despair over the ongoing legal and emotional stress.

His letter read, “Now, with me gone, there won’t be any money and there won’t be any reason to harass my old parents and my brother. I may have destroyed my body, but it has saved everything I believe in.” Days later, Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, along with her mother and brother, were arrested and placed in judicial custody.

These cases highlight the severe emotional toll of unresolved disputes and the importance of seeking support during challenging times.

Helplines for Support

  • Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
  • TISS iCall: 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday, 8 am to 10 pm)

(If you or someone you know needs support, please contact a mental health specialist or a helpline.)

newsbreak24

Recent Posts

Rahul Gandhi’s Convoy Driver Booked After Bihar Cop Injured During Poll Yatra

A police constable in Nawada, Bihar sustained a leg fracture after falling near Rahul Gandhi’s…

4 months ago

India’s Biofuel Ambitions: Billions Saved, New Concerns Over Vehicles and Food Security Emerge

Nationwide E20 Rollout Slashes Emissions and Fuel Imports, But Brings Risks for Engines, Farmers, and…

4 months ago

Lok Sabha Clears Online Gaming Regulation Bill Amid Opposition Protests

The bill targets real-money gaming, aiming to prevent addiction, money laundering, and unchecked financial transactions.…

4 months ago

India Urged to Deepen Russia Ties Amid US Tariff Blowback Over Oil Imports

Russia calls US sanctions on India “unjustified” and offers expanded trade opportunities as tariff tensions…

4 months ago

Maharashtra Faces Escalating Rain Fury: Death Toll Hits 8, Hundreds Evacuated, CM Warns Next 48 Hours Critical

Relentless Monsoon Downpours Trigger Landslides, Floods, and Emergency Responses Across Maharashtra Maharashtra is grappling with severe monsoon disruptions…

4 months ago

India Temporarily Waives Cotton Import Duties Amid US Tariff Spat

To shield its textile industry from the fallout of increased US tariffs, India suspends cotton…

4 months ago