A 26-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide at rented room in Mahim West on Thursday. The deceased, identified as Alia Ahmad Gachhi, was allegedly subjected to mental and physical abuse by her 25-year-old boyfriend, Owais Abdul Rehman Sheikh, who has been arrested by the Mahim police in connection with her death. Investigations revealed that Alia was under severe mental stress due to ongoing abuse and disputes over marriage, which ultimately led her to take her own life.

According to the police, Alia resided at Ghasbazar in Mahim West and was staying in a rented room at the Nakhawa Resident Association near Retibandar in Mahim West. Her friend, Shagupta Anwar Sheikh, also resides in the same area. On Thursday, 4.15 pm, Alia was found hanging in her residence. Room owner Laxmi Pagdhare alerted Gachi's friend, Shagufta Shaikh, and the two broke open the room’s door using a paver block. Inside, they found her hanging from an iron pipe with a bedsheet. The room owner informed the Mahim police, who rushed to the scene. They brought her down and rushed her to a nearby hospital, from where she was referred to Sion Hospital, where doctors declared her dead around 6:30 pm. Police said the post-mortem report confirmed the death by hanging. Based on Shagufta's complaint, they noted that Owais had refused to marry Gachi after she took the extreme step. The woman worked at a mall. 

The police did not find a suicide note at the scene, leaving the exact reason for her suicide unclear. However, during the investigation, Alia’s friend, Shagupta Sheikh, provided a statement to the police. She revealed that Alia had been in a relationship with a man named Owais, who had been mentally and physically abusing her. Alia wanted to marry him, but Owais refused, leading to frequent arguments and further abuse. Shagupta stated that Alia had been under significant mental stress for several days, which may have driven her to take such a drastic step.

Based on Shagupta’s statement, the police registered a case against Owais for allegedly abusing Alia mentally and physically, as well as abetting her suicide. Owais was subsequently arrested. Investigations further revealed that Owas resides near gate number two of the BPT railway line in Wadala and had been in a relationship with Alia for several years.