Summary: On February 17, 2026, the Delhi High Court upheld the decision that Aftab and Zareena were not guilty in the dowry death case of Ruby. The court found no reliable evidence of demands for dowry or harassment, ruling Ruby's death a suicide.
On December 23, 2010, Ruby was found unconscious and taken to GTB Hospital, Delhi, where she was declared dead. Her husband, Aftab, informed Ruby's mother, Ruksana, about her condition.
Ruby's mother claimed that Aftab, his mother Zareena, and other relatives bothered Ruby for dowry, asking for a car and money. Despite these claims, no specific incidents or dates were initially provided.
The trial began with accusations related to dowry harassment and death. However, the trial court found the stories from Ruby's family inconsistent and lacking specific evidence of harassment.
"The main witnesses...in respect of demand of dowry...are unreliable," stated the trial court.
Doctors Arun Kumar and Juthika Debbarma conducted Ruby's post-mortem. They determined the cause of death as suicide by hanging, not strangulation, contradicting the murder theory.
The prosecution appealed, citing dowry demands and harassment. However, the High Court, led by Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain, found no strong evidence linking the alleged demands to Ruby's death.
"The legal assumption...does not arise," concluded the court, affirming the decision that Aftab and Zareena were not guilty.
The court emphasized the lack of a "close and direct connection" between the alleged dowry demands and Ruby's death. Without solid evidence, the assumption of innocence prevailed.
