A 22-year-old woman was allegedly beaten and strangled to death by her father and two brothers in a suspected honour killing in the Sirauli area of Bareilly, police said on Wednesday. The family was reportedly preparing for a rushed cremation when the victim's uncle grew suspicious and alerted the authorities.
Victim's Relationship Sparked Family Conflict
The woman, identified as Kranti Kashyap, was in a relationship with a local man from a different community. She had insisted on marrying him despite fierce opposition from her family, according to police. Both Kranti and her partner were residents of the same village and had been in contact for some time. Her family had repeatedly warned her to end the relationship.
Violent Confrontation Leads to Death
On Tuesday, a heated argument broke out inside the house after family members caught Kranti speaking to her partner on the phone. During the confrontation, the woman's father, Mahendra Kashyap, and her brothers, Akash and Aman, allegedly assaulted her brutally before strangling her. The post-mortem report later confirmed death by strangulation and revealed at least 10 severe injury marks across her body.
Uncle's Tip-Off Leads to Arrests
Following a tip-off from the victim's uncle, Mahesh Kashyap, police intervened and sent the body for an autopsy. “Based on a complaint filed by the victim's uncle, an FIR has been registered against the three accused under BNS Section 103 (murder),” said SSP Anurag Arya. The accused have since been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, officials added.
The case highlights the persistent issue of honour killings in parts of India, where families take extreme measures to control relationships they perceive as dishonourable. Authorities have urged communities to report such incidents and seek legal protection for couples facing threats.
