Newlywed Couple Murdered in Etah Village After Elopement
A young couple who defied family opposition to marry faced a horrific fate in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district. The brutal double murder has sent shockwaves through the local community and drawn attention to continuing violence against inter-caste relationships.
Chilling Details of the Attack
Nineteen-year-old Shivani Kumari and twenty-three-year-old Deepak Kumar met a violent end on Sunday evening. The attack occurred in Gadhiya Suhagpur village under Jaithra police station jurisdiction. Villagers watched in stunned silence as family members assaulted the newlyweds with sticks and a trowel before slitting their throats.
Police have registered a case under BNS sections 103(1) for murder and 191 for rioting. The complaint names five members of Shivani's family as accused. Authorities have already arrested three family members including the victim's father Ashok Kumar, mother Vitoli Devi, and sister Shilpi. Two brothers named Satish and Jabar Singh Vikas remain at large as police continue their search operation.
Background of the Relationship
Both victims belonged to the Lodhi-Rajput community and lived in the same locality. They worked together at a private company in Prayagraj and had maintained a relationship for three years. On December 11, the couple decided to elope and solemnize their marriage at an Arya Samaj temple in Prayagraj despite strong opposition from Shivani's parents.
Shivani returned to her parental home on Saturday after her family called her back. Deepak came to visit her around 7 PM on Sunday when the violent attack unfolded. Eyewitnesses described a scene of absolute horror as family members attacked the couple while villagers looked on helplessly.
Gruesome Sequence of Events
"After thrashing the couple mercilessly, the attackers slit Shivani's throat first," recounted one villager who witnessed the tragedy. "When Deepak tried to run for his life, they caught him and slit his throat too. The attackers then threw the blood-soaked body on the roof of a neighbor's house."
Police arrived at the scene quickly but found Shivani already dead. Deepak showed some signs of life and received immediate medical attention. Authorities rushed him to the nearby community health center, but doctors referred him to the district hospital for advanced treatment. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries during transportation.
Official Response and Investigation
Senior Superintendent of Police Shyam Narayan Singh confirmed the basic facts of the case. "Our preliminary investigation indicates that the woman's father, along with his sons, participated in the double murder," stated Singh. The police continue to gather evidence and pursue the remaining suspects.
Deepak's father Radheyshaym, who works in the forest department, filed the official police complaint. He stated clearly that "Shivani's family members attacked my son and his wife with a sharp weapon in front of terrified villagers." The complaint forms the basis of the ongoing criminal investigation.
Broader Context and Community Impact
This tragic incident highlights the persistent challenge of honor-based violence in certain communities. The couple's decision to marry against family wishes resulted in extreme retaliation that has left the village traumatized. Local authorities face pressure to ensure justice while community leaders grapple with the aftermath of such public violence.
The case continues to develop as police intensify their search for the two missing suspects. Investigators are examining all aspects of the relationship and the family dynamics that led to this brutal outcome. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the work still needed to protect individual choice and prevent such violence in modern India.
