NEW DELHI: In a spine-chilling atrocity from UP’s Moradabad, a young interfaith couple was allegedly savagely murdered by the woman’s brothers — lured out, bludgeoned with a shovel, and dumped near a riverbank beside a temple. The grisly episode, a prima facie case of family-enforced violence exposes the lethal fury unleashed when forbidden love defies ironclad family and societal edicts.Series of disturbing incidents reported by the Times of India unmasks a nationwide plague: families plotting cold-blooded vengeance against lovers daring to defy entrenched norms, turning personal choice into a death sentence.Meerut-Moradabad: Interfaith love ends in burialIn Moradabad’s Pakbada area, a young interfaith couple, Mohd Arman (24) and Kajal Saini (18), were allegedly found buried near a Shiva temple after being reported missing for three days. Police reports indicate that Kajal’s brothers—Satish, Rinku, and Rajaram—allegedly lured the couple out, attacked them with a shovel, and buried their bodies near the Gagan river, a few kilometres from their village, Umri Sabzipur.
According to SP (City) Kumar Ranvijay, Satish and Rinku allegedly confessed to the crime, revealing how they struck the couple, tied the bodies, placed them in plastic sacks, transported them on a motorcycle, and buried them. The shovel allegedly used in the attack was recovered from a shed at their home. Authorities noted that decomposition had set in by the time the bodies were recovered, suggesting the couple had been dead for at least two days.Arman had returned from Saudi Arabia three months ago after working as a mason for four years, while Kajal worked as a schoolteacher in a local private school. Village head Pawan Saini noted that the couple’s relationship was recent and had not been accepted by Kajal’s family. Police clarified that there was no prima facie evidence suggesting attempts to elope or convert religions. Two of the brothers were arrested immediately, while Rajaram remained absconding. Charges have been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.The incident left the village in shock. Families and authorities are questioning how such a premeditated act could occur in broad daylight, highlighting the persistence of alleged honour-based violence in interfaith relationships.Rajkot: Father and Nephew allegedly execute deadly planIn Rajkot district, Gujarat, the disappearance of a young couple revealed another horrifying alleged honour killing. Navin Rabari (24) and Nathi alias Sonu Rabari (19) had been missing since 3 February. Police later discovered that Sonu’s father, Vanka alias Raja Rabari, and his nephew, Soma alias Parbat Rabai, allegedly strangled the couple and disposed of their bodies in a well near Khambhla village. Sonu’s mother, Hima, has also been booked in connection with the crime.
Sonu’s father, Vanka alias Raja Rabari and his nephew, Soma alias Parbat Rabai arrested
Investigators said the family opposed the union, fearing it would allegedly bring dishonour to them in the community. Despite repeated attempts to separate the couple, they refused to end the relationship. On the day of the alleged murder, Vanka reportedly involved his wife and minor son to convince the couple, but the discussion allegedly turned violent. Soma allegedly strangled Sonu, while Vanka throttled Navin. The bodies were then disposed of in a well, reportedly using a motorcycle to transport them. Vanka also allegedly destroyed one mobile phone and burnt the other to mislead authorities.Police noted that local customs, including barter marriage arrangements and caste expectations, may have influenced the opposition. Navin’s unemployment and lack of a sister reportedly further fuelled the family’s objection.Patiala: Alleged honour killing over love marriageIn Sangrur district, Punjab, Gurpreet Singh (22), also known as Babbu, was allegedly shot dead in his home in Lehal Kalan village by four men linked to the family of the woman he married. Police officials said the killing was motivated by “honour,” tied to the woman’s family resentment over the love marriage.The assailants—Ramandeep Singh, Ravi, Modi, and Harpreet Singh—allegedly entered Gurpreet’s house around 2 a.m., scaled the walls, and carried out the shooting. Authorities recovered a .32-bore pistol, another improvised firearm, and a .315-bore cartridge. A car allegedly used in the crime was also seized.The swift resolution was attributed to coordinated police intelligence and rapid raids. Officials emphasised that such incidents, alleged as honour killings, are serious offences and will be pursued rigorously under the law.Agra and Kasganj: Elopement and brutalityIn Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly killed and her body set on fire by her family after she eloped with an 18-year-old boy from the village. Villagers reported that the couple had been in a relationship for nearly two years. Police recovered the remains for postmortem, and two family members have been taken into custody, while others remain at large.
Arjun Singh was sitting near a temple with his friends when the girl’s brother, Harsh Singh (in pic), and his cousin approached him and took him towards the temple on the pretext of discussing some matter
In Mathura district, Arjun Singh (30) was allegedly shot dead by his minor girlfriend’s brother, Harsh Singh (21), and his cousin Bobby (23). Arjun had been sitting near a temple when the men allegedly lured him under false pretences and shot him with a country-made pistol. The minor girl attempted suicide but was rescued and shifted to SN Medical College, Agra. Police have registered a case and are collecting forensic evidence.These cases illustrate how attempts at elopement or freely choosing a partner can escalate into extreme violence in certain communities.Karnataka: Inter-caste marriage leads to alleged murderIn Dharwad district, Karnataka, Manya Patil (20), a Lingayat woman seven months pregnant, was allegedly assaulted by her family, including her father Prakashgouda, after marrying Vivekanand Doddamani, a Dalit. She later succumbed to her injuries, and several family members were arrested.The Gadag district unit of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha observed a “Repentance Day,” joining Dalit communities to condemn the alleged killing and promote awareness about inter-caste marriages. Community leaders emphasised that every adult citizen has a constitutional right to marry anyone of their choice.Patna: Woman and newborn allegedly murderedIn Madhepura district of Bihar, a 20-year-old woman, Alka Kumari, and her newborn daughter were allegedly murdered by her father, uncle, and husband. Alka had been in a relationship with her husband for over a year and gave birth on 13 February 2026.According to police, her father and uncle allegedly took her from the hospital under the pretext of transferring her to another facility, killed her, and disposed of the body in Bhagalpur. Her husband allegedly strangled the newborn and threw the body from a bridge. DNA tests confirmed the identities of the victims and the family members, resulting in arrests and seizure of the vehicle and mobile phones used.Buxar: Bride-to-be found deadIn Buxar district, Sunita Kumari (18), scheduled to marry in April, was found dead in a sack behind a government school in Chunni Dera village. She had been missing since 16 February. Villagers alleged she was in a relationship her family disapproved of. Police are investigating multiple angles, including prima facie evidence of honour killing. Preliminary reports suggest the body was around five days old.Patterns and Societal ImplicationsFamily opposition: Opposition to love or marriage, often rooted in caste, community, or interfaith differences, is central in most alleged cases.Premeditation: Most alleged killers planned the crimes carefully, sometimes destroying evidence.Targeting both partners: Male partners are rarely spared when families claim “dishonour.”Interference with investigations: Families often attempt to mislead authorities through false reports or staged cooperation.Community dynamics: Caste practices, gender imbalance, and barter marriage arrangements often influence the violence.Police and social workers stress that these incidents are alleged criminal offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other laws. Special forces continue raids and investigations, yet the persistence of such alleged crimes reveals a deeper societal struggle: reconciling personal freedoms with entrenched traditions and cultural expectations.Conclusion: A grim realityFrom Uttar Pradesh to Madhepura, the stories share a chilling similarity: personal choice in love clashing with rigid family and societal norms, resulting in alleged murder in the name of “honour.” While the Constitution guarantees freedom to marry anyone of one’s choice, individuals remain vulnerable to violent opposition at home.These incidents underline the urgent need for stronger legal enforcement, community awareness, and societal reform. Families, communities, and authorities must collaborate to ensure that choice, love, and individual rights are respected—and that alleged honour killings eventually become a relic of the past.
