Tragic Love Story Ends in Brutal Murder
In a shocking incident that has exposed the deep-rooted caste prejudices in Indian society, a teenage girl in Maharashtra's Nanded district performed symbolic wedding ceremonies with the body of her murdered boyfriend hours after her father and brothers were arrested for allegedly killing him. The brutal murder occurred on Thursday evening in the Juna Ganj area, sending shockwaves through the community and highlighting the persistent issue of honor killings in India.
Brutal Attack and Immediate Arrests
According to police officials, 25-year-old Saksham Tate was called to the location by the girl's family members under false pretenses. What awaited him was a deadly ambush. Investigators revealed that the girl's brothers Himesh and Sahil Mamilwad, along with her father Gajanan Mamilwad and three other accomplices, first fired at Tate and then brutally smashed his head with a stone slab. The attack was so vicious that Tate died on the spot.
Police have arrested all the accused adults, while a minor involved in the crime has been sent to a correctional home. Authorities have registered a First Information Report under multiple sections including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the Arms Act, indicating the seriousness of the charges.
Symbolic Wedding and Heartbreaking Scenes
The tragedy took an emotionally charged turn on Friday evening when the girl, identified as Aanchal, arrived at Tate's home where funeral preparations were underway. Eyewitnesses described heartbreaking scenes as the distraught teenager broke down beside her lover's body and performed symbolic wedding rituals.
In a powerful act of defiance and eternal commitment, Aanchal applied haldi and kumkum on Tate's body, declaring that this symbolic marriage would make their love "immortal." She later told reporters that they had planned to marry soon and that her family's violent actions had failed to destroy their bond.
"They killed him brutally, but they lost. My lover won, even in death. I want my father and brothers to be hanged," Aanchal told reporters, her voice filled with both grief and determination.
Caste Conflict and Family Opposition
Aanchal revealed that her family's opposition to their relationship stemmed solely from caste differences. While her family identifies as Hindu, Tate belonged to a Buddhist community. She alleged that her boyfriend had been "threatened continuously" and that her family had been "plotting to eliminate him for weeks" before carrying out their deadly plan.
In a significant decision that underscores her commitment to her late boyfriend, Aanchal announced that she has severed all ties with her family and will now live with Tate's mother. "I will stay with his mother for the rest of my life. They cannot separate us anymore," she declared, showing remarkable courage in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Meanwhile, relatives confirmed that turmeric was also applied to Tate's body as part of traditional funeral rites, blending both mourning and marriage ceremonies in a poignant display of love transcending death.
Police Response and Community Tensions
Senior police officers have confirmed that additional security forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any caste-related tensions from escalating. The investigation continues with authorities focusing on recovering the murder weapon and recording Aanchal's complete statement.
This tragic incident has once again brought into sharp focus the deadly consequences of caste-based discrimination and honor killings in modern India, raising urgent questions about societal attitudes and the effectiveness of legal protections for inter-caste couples.
