LUCKNOW: In a suspected case of honour killing, a 19-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death by her father, two uncles and an aunt after she returned home.The accused allegedly attempted to disguise the murder as a case of snakebite and later suicide before secretly cremating the body without informing the police, officials said.The incident came to light in Samadkhera village in the Sandila area of Hardoi district, where police have arrested four family members following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.According to police, the victim, identified as Shubhi (19), left her home around midnight on June 3 without informing her family. She returned at about 4 am on June 4, when her father, Ramdayal (52), allegedly saw her entering the house.Police said Ramdayal became enraged and began questioning and scolding his daughter. The commotion woke other family members, including Ramdayal’s brothers, Munesh and Suresh, and Munesh’s wife, Madhuri.Investigators alleged that all four accused then assaulted Shubhi, repeatedly kicking and punching her. The beating allegedly continued until she succumbed to her injuries inside the house.
Family allegedly conspired to conceal murder
After realising that Shubhi had died, the accused allegedly devised a plan to conceal the crime and portray the death as either a natural death or suicide.According to the police investigation, the family allegedly used a sewing machine needle to create marks on the victim’s hand resembling snakebite punctures. Investigators further alleged that they also created ligature marks around her neck to support a false claim that she had died by suicide.Police believe the accused hoped to avoid suspicion and prevent any criminal investigation into the death.
Secret cremation conducted without informing police
Authorities said the accused did not report the death to the police or local authorities. Instead, they allegedly took the body to a nearby orchard and cremated it the following morning.The cremation was carried out without any post-mortem examination or legal formalities, police said.Suspicion grew among villagers after they learned about the circumstances surrounding Shubhi’s sudden death and hurried cremation. Some residents reportedly informed the police about the incident on June 6.
Mother’s complaint leads to arrests
Following the tip-off, Sandila police detained Ramdayal for questioning. After learning of his detention, Shubhi’s mother, Mithilesha (47), along with her younger daughter Shivanki, approached the police and provided details about the incident.Based on her complaint and the subsequent investigation, police registered a case and arrested Ramdayal, his brothers Munesh and Suresh, and Madhuri.
Victim had left school after Class 8
Police said Shubhi belonged to a labourer’s family in Meeto Majra Samadkhera village. Her father and uncle worked as masons, while another uncle earned a living by selling milk.According to local residents, Shubhi studied up to Class 8 before her education was discontinued by her family. She subsequently remained at home and assisted her mother with household work.
Police statement
Additional Superintendent of Police Subodh Gautam said that during interrogation, the accused admitted that Shubhi had left home without informing her family and was assaulted after returning in the early hours of the morning.“The investigation revealed that the victim was beaten by family members after returning home. Following her death, the accused cremated the body in an orchard without informing police in an attempt to destroy evidence,” the officer said.Police have booked the accused on charges related to murder and destruction of evidence. Further legal proceedings are underway, and investigators are examining all aspects of the case.
