In a chilling case of an alleged honour killing in Indian state of Maharashtra’s Nanded district, a 21-year-old woman “married" the mortal remains of her boyfriend after he was shot dead and bludgeoned by her father and brothers for opposing their inter-caste relationship.
According to Indian media reports, 25-year-old Saksham Tate and 21-year-old Aanchal Mamidwar had been in a relationship for some time.
Saksham, who had been released on bail just one and a half months earlier, was known to Aanchal’s family as he had been a close friend of her brother, Himesh Mamidwar. Both Saksham and Himesh had criminal backgrounds, police confirmed.
Aanchal’s father, Ganesh (also referred to as Gajanan) Mamidwar, had recently learnt of her daughter’s relationship with Saksham and strongly opposed it due to caste differences.
Enraged, Aanchal’s father, her brother Himesh, Sahil, and two others allegedly shot Saksham in Nanded’s Juna Ganj area before crushing him with stones, killing him on the spot.
News agency PTI, citing police officials, reported that the confrontation began on the evening of November 27, when Saksham was standing with friends.
A fight broke out between him and Himesh, who fired at Saksham, with the bullet piercing his ribs. Himesh then smashed a tile on Saksham’s head, resulting in instantaneous death.
Police arrested Himesh, his brother Sahil (25), and their father Gajanan Mamidwar (45) shortly after.
As preparations began for Saksham’s final rites the following day, a distraught Aanchal arrived at his residence and declared her intent to marry him despite his death.
Eyewitnesses told PTI that she performed the symbolic marriage ritual by applying turmeric and vermilion to his body.
“Even after his death, I will remain his," she said, breaking down. “I want justice. I want the accused to be hanged," she said.
Speaking to reporters, Aanchal said, “I was in love with Saksham for the past three years, but my father opposed our relationship over caste differences."
“My family often threatened to kill Saksham, and now my father and brothers, Himesh and Sahil, have done it. I want the accused to be hanged," she added.
She also stated her intention to stay in Saksham’s house from now on.
Police have charged six individuals under sections related to murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the Arms Act, PTI reported.
The arrested accused have been remanded to police custody for three days.