Delhi cafe owner's wife posts cryptic message week before his suicide

New Delhi: Almost a week before Delhi café owner Puneet Khurana committed suicide, his estranged wife Manika Pahwa posted a cryptic message on her Instagram account.

Notably, Pahwa was Khurana's business partner. Pahwa wrote in a cryptic message that she had been subjected to "toxicity and narcissistic abuse" but was now free.

Pahwa and Khurana co-owned the famed Woodbox Cafe in Delhi. They were going through their divorce. The 40-year-old businessman committed suicide on New Year's Eve. He was discovered hanging in his room in Model Town's Kalyan Vihar neighbourhood, Free Press Journal reported.

Khurana talked with his estranged wife on Monday night, hours before taking the drastic action. The businessman recorded the conversation. The pair can be heard arguing about business difficulties in the recording.

According to NDTV, Khurana's estranged wife stated in an Instagram post six days before his death that she was recovering well "after all the toxicity and narcissistic abuse".

She also stated that she strives to "be better and indifferent" each day. Pahwa, who did not identify anyone in her article, stated that 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 as reported by the media house.

"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," Pahwa added.

After Khurana died, his family blamed his estranged wife for driving him to take such drastic measures. "The father of the deceased, Puneet Khurana, said that his son was going through marital discord and alleged that his daughter-in-law harassed him, which led to his suicide," Bhisham Singh, DCP North West Delhi, told ANI.

"We have seized the deceased man's mobile phone, and the family's claims are being verified. An inquiry is underway with both families participating in the investigation. Manika's family has made counter-allegations, and a divorce case is also ongoing," he added.

According to the deceased's sister, Puneet's wife, along with her sister and parents, were mentally abusing and harassing him, and Puneet had also recorded a video in which he detailed the harassment he had faced.