Parents Arrested for Honor Killing of 17-Year-Old Daughter in Madhya Pradesh: A Tragic Case of Caste Violence

Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested Bharat Sikarwar and his wife for allegedly murdering their 17-year-old daughter, Divya Sikarwar, in what appears to be a case of honor killing that has shocked the Chambal-Gwalior region.

Authorities have filed charges against 23 additional individuals, with 11 specifically named and others yet to be identified. The case has sparked renewed debate about caste-based violence and the extreme measures some families take to preserve traditional hierarchies.

Divya, a Class 12 student, was reportedly shot dead in her home on September 23. Her body was discovered five days later in the Kunwari River, wrapped in plastic and tied to a stone—apparently an attempt to conceal the crime.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Surendra Pal Singh Dabar confirmed to IANS that both parents have been taken into custody following the autopsy results. "We have lodged an FIR and arrested Divya's father and mother. At least ten other people have been identified as accomplices who helped dispose of her body without alerting authorities. The murder weapon, a licensed revolver, has been seized," Dabar stated.

The murder took place in Shivnagar locality within Morena's Civil Lines Police Station jurisdiction. Investigators believe Bharat, also known as Bantu, meticulously planned the killing to coincide with evening Aarti ceremonies, when loud devotional music would mask the sound of gunfire.

According to police reports, Divya was shot while standing on the balcony watching religious rituals. The gunshot went unheard due to the religious music, but her younger sister witnessed the incident and ran out screaming.

Bharat emerged with Divya's head wrapped in a scarf, claiming she had fallen unconscious. A neighbor offered his car to help transport her to a hospital, but en route, Bharat allegedly changed direction toward a village, announcing she had died. He then transferred her body to another vehicle, promising to perform a traditional water cremation.

Initially, Bharat claimed Divya had shot herself, but forensic evidence revealed a point-blank gunshot wound to the head, contradicting this account. The family's explanation shifted multiple times—from electrocution to suicide—raising further suspicion. Notably, they never reported Divya missing.

Due to the advanced decomposition of the body, the post-mortem examination was conducted at Gwalior Medical College.

Investigators believe the motive may have been Divya's relationship with a young man from a socially disadvantaged caste. The family claimed she managed household finances and had access to a pistol registered to her uncle, which was kept in her cupboard.

This tragedy follows similar incidents in the region. In June, a grandfather in Morena allegedly shot his granddaughter over an inter-caste relationship, while in January, 20-year-old Tanu Gurjar was killed by her father and cousin in Gwalior.