Less than a week before Delhi cafe owner Puneet Khurana died by suicide, his estranged wife and business partner Manika Pahwa had put up a cryptic post on social media stating that she had been subjected to “toxicity and narcissistic abuse” and was now free. The couple, co-owners of the popular Woodbox Cafe in Delhi, were going through a divorce.

Khurana (40) was found hanging in his room in Model Town’s Kalyan Vihar area on New Year’s Eve. He had spoken to Manika on Monday night and recorded the conversation, in which the couple can be heard fighting over issues related to the business.

Khurana’s family has blamed Ms Pahwa for his death and said she “instigated him” to die by suicide. 

In her post on Instagram from six days ago, Ms Pahwa said she is healing well “after all the toxicity and narcissistic abuse” and was trying to “be better and to be indifferent” every day.

Without naming anyone, she said higher powers would decide what was best for her “abusers”. 

“Well feminism suits me, as idealistic values are my core & feminism means giving & getting mere respect. To one another. No slave treatment, and no stopping some girl to speak her mind (sic). Even a house help, guard, rikshawala, a tiny kid deserves respectful treatment. Once a coward fought with me that ‘respect has to be earned’. Ufff! What disgrace na? I disagree, respect has to be given to each and everyone. If not then you lost the respect baby. Phew! Maybe that’s why in India, we address people with ‘aap’, ‘bhaiya’, ‘didi’ to even strangers, isn’t it?” she wrote.

Referring to her abusers as insecure cowards, Ms Pahwa said virtues like kindness and love are more important than money. 

“I just wish these abusers get to see the mirror someday and understand..that kindness, love, understanding, trust,wisdom, affection & care all are true virtues & hold much more importance than money,property & gold. God bless the unkind ones. I know nobody can change, but let’s just pray, nobody else should suffer because of some bunch of insecure cowards. My tribe, pray with me..okay? love you all… I am free, and the beautiful ruins are part of me,” she wrote.

‘Stressed Him Out’

On Wednesday, Khurana’s sister told news agency ANI that Ms Pahwa had instigated him. 

“Manika Pahwa, her parents and her sister forced my brother, stressed him out, instigated him by saying, ‘you can’t do anything, die by suicide if you dare’. Puneet shot a video before his death, it is on his phone, he has said everything, about how Manika and his parents pressured him mentally. They threatened to throw our parents out and dared him to open his shop’s shutter. They kept abusing him,” she said.

She claimed the division of the business had been laid out clearly, but Ms Pahwa kept asking for her share from the other part too. 

“They earlier ran the bakery business in partnership. But when the first motion for divorce was signed, it was decided and put in writing that Puneet would manage For God’s bakery and Manika would get Woodbox Cafe. It was signed. Even after that, she kept saying that she won’t leave her share. When the matter has been decided in court, go and raise the issue there. She kept calling him and demanding her share,” the sister said.

Khurana’s mother also claimed Ms Pahwa kept torturing her son and he suffered in silence. 

“The two shared the business, they would have disputes over it. He would not say anything openly to us, thinking we would be upset. He kept swallowing his grief. My son was doing well, but she tortured him so much yesterday that he took this step,” she said.

The couple got married in 2016 and had been separated for two years. Khurana’s family has filed a police complaint and sought action against Ms Pahwa and her family. 

New Delhi:

Puneet Khurana’s (40) estranged wife Manika Pahwa and her family had been torturing him mentally and that drove him to the edge, the Delhi businessman’s family has alleged after he died by suicide at his Model Town residence yesterday.

Puneet’s sister told news agency ANI, “Manika Pahwa, her parents and her sister forced my brother, stressed him out, instigated him by saying, ‘you can’t do anything, die by suicide if you dare’. Puneet shot a video before his death, it is on his phone, he has said everything, about how Manika and his parents pressured him mentally. They threatened to throw our parents out and dared him to open his shop’s shutter. They kept abusing him.”

Asked about the business dispute between Puneet and Manika, she said, “They earlier ran the bakery business in partnership. But when the first notion for divorce was signed, it was decided and put in writing that Puneet would manage For God’s bakery and Manika would get Woodbox Cafe. It was signed. Even after that, she kept saying that she won’t leave her share. When the matter has been decided in court, go and raise the issue there. She kept calling him and demanding her share.”

#WATCH | 40 -year old Puneet Khurana dies allegedly by suicide, his family levels charges of harassment against his wife and in-laws

The deceased’s sister says, “Manika Pahwa, her sister and parents mentally tortured and harassed him. There is a video recording of around 59… pic.twitter.com/TfKfOBIZIE

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2025

Puneet’s sister alleged Manika hacked Puneet’s Instagram account. “She misbehaved with people through his Instagram account. It is because of this that my brother had to call her at 3 am. We have the recording,” she said.

#WATCH | Delhi | Deceased Puneet’s mother says, “She (Puneet’s wife) used to keep torturing him…I want justice for him.” pic.twitter.com/DHQt9mNU2E

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2025

Puneet’s mother said she had hoped that her son and Manika would be fine after separation. “But she kept torturing my son and he suffered in silence. The two shared the business, they would have disputes over it. He would not say anything openly to us, thinking that my parents would be upset. He kept swallowing his grief. My son was doing well, but she tortured him so much yesterday that he took this step. I lost my son, please ensure justice for him so that his soul rests in peace,” she told ANI.

Police have said 40-year-old Puneet died by hanging last afternoon. He had spoken to Manika the night before and the recorded conversation has the two quarrelling with each other over business.

According to reports, the couple married in 2016 and separated two years back. They had been going through divorce proceedings.