Bengaluru: A 24-year-old woman, who was married to a soldier, was found hanging in her brother-in-law’s residence in Byatarayanapura here on Thursday night.

The police have registered a case of dowry death as Asha had been married for less than seven years, but they are yet to determine if this is a case of suicide or murder, as alleged by her family.

The woman’s husband, Manoj, who is believed to have taken leave from his base in Gujarat to visit his wife in the city, was admitted to NIMHANS after he complained of chest pain on Thursday. His brother Ramalinga has been detained for interrogation.

According to the police, Asha married Manoj around two years ago. They have a 10-month-old child. While her husband was away, Asha lived with her parents in Kamakshipalya.

On Thursday morning, Manoj picked her up from her parent’s residence and took her to Ramalinga’s house in New Timber Yard, Byatarayanapura.

“He was planning to relocate with the family to Gujarat,” said a senior police officer.

Victim alleged assault

Asha’s brother Ajaykumar told the police that at 8.30 p.m., his sister called him and complained about Manoj and Ramalinga allegedly assaulting her. “Ajaykumar told us that he immediately went to his sister’s in-laws’ house where he found Manoj and Ramalinga sitting outside. They feigned ignorance about Asha’s whereabouts,” said the officer.

But when Ajaykumar forced opened the main door, he found Asha’s body and immediately called the police.

“There are injuries on her body so we suspect she had been assaulted,” said a police officer.

The police said that Ajaykumar has accused Manoj of torturing his sister for dowry to build a new house. “He had been demanding jewellery and cash,” said the police. Army sources said that such cases are usually handed over to the civil police.