A village council meeting convened to settle a dispute over a love marriage descended into fatal violence in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district, resulting in the death of a young man and critical injuries to his relative.
Panchayat Meeting Ends in Bloodshed
The tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Kanshiram Colony of Manpur village. The panchayat was called by the family of a 21-year-old woman, Gauri Singh, and held next to the house of her husband, Arjun Singh. What began as a heated argument between the two families soon escalated dramatically.
According to police reports, a few individuals from the woman's side, identified as the main accused Aman Singh and his relative Ramu Singh, forcibly entered the husband's home armed with a knife. Inside, they allegedly launched a brutal attack, repeatedly stabbing Arjun's brother-in-law, Sahibaa Singh (25), and his kin, Surjeet Singh (27).
Both victims were rushed to Etah Medical College. Tragically, doctors declared Sahibaa Singh dead upon arrival. Surjeet Singh remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
Court-Approved Union That Sparked Tension
Police revealed that the couple at the centre of the dispute, Gauri and Arjun, were neighbours and had been in a relationship for several years. The situation came to a head in November last year when Gauri eloped with Arjun.
Her family responded by filing a First Information Report (FIR), levelling allegations of abduction. Police later located Gauri in Agra. Following routine medical examinations, she was produced before a local court to record her statement.
In a decisive moment, Gauri told the court she was living with Arjun of her "own free will as both are adults." Upholding her choice, the court permitted her to stay with her partner. The couple then solemnised their union in a religious ceremony on December 1, 2025, and began their married life in Kanshiram Colony.
Failed Reconciliation and Police Action
Despite the court's clear order, tensions between the families persisted. In an attempt to resolve matters "once and for all," the woman's family called for the Sunday panchayat—a decision that culminated in tragedy.
ASP Etah, Shwetabh Pandey, stated, "Preliminary investigation indicates that the dispute was linked to a love marriage solemnised with the court's approval. People from the woman's side entered the husband's house and assaulted the occupants. During the assault, Aman Singh (the woman's cousin) stabbed the victims."
Following the violence, police have registered an FIR against Aman Singh and Ramu Singh. The charges include serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), notably Section 103(1) for murder and Section 109 for attempt to murder. Authorities have arrested Aman Singh and deployed additional police forces in the area to prevent further unrest.
This case highlights the severe and sometimes deadly consequences when traditional community mediation clashes with legally protected individual rights, particularly concerning inter-family relationships and marriage choices.
