Delhi Police SWAT officer Kajal, a 27-year-old constable inspired by her mother’s unfulfilled dream of serving in uniform, died after a brutal assault by her husband at their home in Delhi’s Dwarka earlier this month. The incident has sparked outrage and drawn attention to domestic violence, even within families of government and law enforcement personnel.
Kajal, who was four months pregnant, was allegedly attacked by her husband, Ankur Chaudhary, during an argument on January 22. Police officials said she was repeatedly struck with a metal dumbbell and had her head smashed against a door frame. She was declared brain-dead the same night and later died at a hospital in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Brutal assault and final moments
According to investigators, the attack occurred inside the couple’s residence in Dwarka. Kajal’s brother, Nikhil, who is also a Delhi Police constable, said he was on a phone call with his sister at the time of the assault and could hear her screams as the violence unfolded.
Doctors confirmed that Kajal suffered catastrophic head injuries. Despite medical efforts, she could not recover from the trauma inflicted during the assault.
Inspired by a mother’s dream
Kajal’s journey into the police force was deeply rooted in her mother Meena’s own unrealised ambition. Meena had dreamed of becoming a police officer but was unable to pursue the career due to family responsibilities and early marriage.
Determined that her children would succeed where she could not, Meena trained and motivated them from a young age. “Becoming a police officer was my childhood dream. I decided my children would achieve what I could not,” she said.
Education and path to the police force
Hailing from Ganaur in Haryana, Kajal studied up to Class 10 at Navodaya Vidyalaya in Sonipat before completing Class 12 from a government girls’ school in her hometown. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arya Post Graduate College in Panipat.
It was during her college years that she met Ankur Chaudhary. Both later secured government jobs and eventually got married. Chaudhary went on to work as a clerk in the defence ministry, according to Kajal’s family.
Joining Delhi Police and SWAT unit
After two years of rigorous training, Kajal joined Delhi Police as a constable in 2022. Soon after, she volunteered for the all-women Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Special Cell, a role that required advanced physical training and operational readiness.
Her brother Nikhil said his own selection into the police force in 2018 motivated Kajal further. “Our mother used my success to push Kajal. She trained hard and cleared the exams to join the force in 2022,” he said.
Allegations of dowry-related harassment
Kajal’s mother has alleged that her daughter’s marriage was marred by greed and changing behaviour from her in-laws. “My daughter’s promising career as a trained woman commando was cut short because of greed,” Meena said, claiming the family faced pressure over demands for a car and cash.
Despite the tragedy, Meena said she remains determined to see her youngest son follow the same path of service. “Even after this, I want my 16-year-old son to join the forces,” she said.