In a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh, a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for over a week was discovered murdered in a mustard field in Budaun district. The police investigation took a grim turn when the victim's own father was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly killing her in the name of "family honour".
Gruesome Discovery in the Field
The mutilated body of the teenager was found on Monday in a field at Lahra Ladpur village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Wazirganj police station. The scene was harrowing, with police officials stating that the girl's throat had been slit. Furthermore, parts of the body showed signs of being eaten by stray animals, indicating that the corpse had been lying in the open for several days before discovery.
The girl had gone missing on December 19, but her family waited nearly a week before reporting her disappearance to the authorities. Initially, an FIR was registered against unknown persons under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was filed by the victim's father, Mohd Ikraar (45).
Father's Confession and Motive
During the course of the investigation, police analysed call detail records, gathered local intelligence, and conducted technical surveillance. Suspicion soon fell on the father, Mohd Ikraar, as his version of events was found to be inconsistent and dubious.
"During questioning, the accused confessed to killing his daughter," stated Budaun SP (rural) Hirdesh Katheriya. According to the police, Ikraar admitted that he was deeply upset by his daughter's behaviour. He claimed she had been leaving home without informing the family, an act he believed had brought "dishonour" to them in their village.
Ikraar was subsequently arrested near a brick kiln. Police also claimed to have recovered a sickle, which is alleged to be the weapon used in the killing. Investigators believe the girl was killed at a different location and her body was later dumped in the mustard field in an attempt to mislead the police.
Post-Mortem Report and Case Details
The post-mortem examination ruled out sexual assault. It concluded that the cause of death was shock and haemorrhage due to a sharp injury to the neck, corroborating the police's initial findings.
This tragic case highlights the persistent and brutal reality of so-called "honour killings" in parts of the country, where perceived transgressions of social norms are met with extreme violence, often from within the family itself. The Budaun police continue their investigation to piece together the full sequence of events.
