Asphyxial deaths are commonly encountered in forensic practice and determination of manner of death is of utmost importance. Present study was carried out in the department of Forensic Medicine, GMC, Nagpur from January 2016 – October 2017. Cases of hanging, strangulation (ligature and manual), choking and smothering were included in study. Advanced decomposed bodies were not included in study. Out of 4877 medico legal autopsies conducted during this period, incidence of violent asphyxial deaths was 10.9% (n=531). Males (78.3%) outnumbered females (21.7%) with approximate male to female ratio of 3.6:1. Most affected age group was 21–30yrs among both the sexes. Hanging (69.7%) was most common method of asphyxiation followed by drowning (27.7%) and suicide (75.9%) was most common manner of death followed by accident (22.6%). Homicide was seen in 1.5% cases. Majority of cases (n=269, 50.7%) belong to low socio economic class. Domestic problem was most common reason in 40.5% cases. Soft material was used as ligature in 78.9% cases of hanging and 25% cases of strangulation while hard material was used in 21.08% of hanging and 75% cases of strangulation.