Uttar Pradesh was shaken by two cases of suspected honour killings reported within 24 hours from Etah and Kasganj districts.
While in Etah, a married was allegedly killed in public view, Kasganj saw a case wherein a minor girl was beaten to death and later cremated.
Etah: Married Couple Killed in Full Public View The first incident occurred in Garhiya Suhagpur village under Jaitra police station in Etah, around 30 km from the district headquarters, where 19-year-old Shivani and her 24-year-old husband Deepak were beaten and allegedly had their throats slit by the girl’s family.
Police said the couple had been in a relationship for three years and had married at an Arya Samaj temple in Prayagraj on November 11 after fleeing their homes due to family opposition.
After a compromise was reportedly reached between the two families at a police station in Kannauj on December 15, Shivani returned to her parental home on Saturday. On Sunday evening, Deepak went to meet her. Villagers said the couple was talking on the terrace when Shivani’s family spotted them.
“They were dragged out and beaten mercilessly with sticks in front of the entire village. No one dared to intervene," a local resident alleged.
Shivani was allegedly killed first by slitting her throat, followed by Deepak. Her body was left on the terrace, while Deepak, critically injured, was allegedly thrown onto a neighbouring rooftop. A video later surfaced showing him bleeding and writhing in pain. News18 has not verified its authenticity.
Police reached the village after an emergency call. Deepak was still alive and was rushed to a community health centre and later referred to the district hospital, but he died on the way.
Deepak’s cousin Umesh Kumar alleged, “They had married legally and even reached a compromise. Despite that, both were murdered in full public view. Deepak was a simple, hardworking boy."