Honor Killing in Maharashtra: Woman Marries Deceased Lover After Family's Fatal Attack Over Caste Differences

Nanded, Maharashtra:

Authorities have apprehended six individuals, including the parents and brother of a woman who conducted a marriage ceremony with her deceased boyfriend's body in Maharashtra's Nanded district.

The victim, 20-year-old Saksham Tate, was fatally attacked on Thursday evening following an altercation with the brother of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Aanchal Mamidwar.

Police have identified eight suspects in this honor killing case: Gajanan Balaji Mamidwar (Aanchal's father), Jayshree Mamidwar (Aanchal's mother), Sahil Gajanan Mamidwar (Aanchal's elder brother), Somesh Subhash, Vedant Ashok Kundekar, Chetan Balaji Mamidwar, and one unnamed individual. The list also includes Aanchal's 17-year-old brother. While six suspects have been detained, two remain at large. During today's court appearance, Aanchal's mother was placed in judicial custody, while the other adult suspects received three-day police custody.

According to reports, Aanchal's younger brother allegedly shot Tate, with bullets striking his ribs, before smashing a tile against his head.

During preparations for Tate's funeral on Friday, a grief-stricken Aanchal performed a symbolic marriage ceremony with his body. Images of this heartbreaking scene have circulated widely across social media platforms. She informed reporters that she intended to reside in Tate's household from that point forward.

In a subsequent interview with NDTV, Aanchal claimed her family had betrayed her trust. "We maintained our relationship for three years... My brothers had promised to arrange our wedding. However, they ultimately betrayed us," she stated.

She further alleged that two police officers incited her brothers to attack Saksham Tate. "Around 11 am on the day of Saksham's murder, my younger brother took me to the police station and pressured me to file false accusations against Saksham. I refused. The officers told my brother, 'You repeatedly come here after committing murders. Why not kill the man involved with your sister?' My brother responded, 'Fine, I will kill him by evening and return to you.'"

Aanchal also asserted that "the murder occurred due to caste differences." While Aanchal Mamidwar belongs to the Special Backward Class, Tate was a Dalit.

Both Tate and Aanchal's brothers reportedly had criminal histories and were previously close friends. According to police, the Mamidwar family opposed the relationship, and the couple's determination to continue their relationship ultimately led to Tate's killing.