Interfaith Couple Discovered Buried Near Shiva Temple in Moradabad, Brothers Confess to Honor Killing
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, an interfaith couple who had been missing for three days were found buried near a Shiva temple in Moradabad's Pakbada area on Wednesday. The grim discovery came after two of the woman's brothers allegedly confessed to killing them to protect their family's honor.
Details of the Tragic Discovery
The bodies of Mohd Arman, 24, and Kajal Saini, 18, were recovered from a shallow grave located close to the Gagan river, just a few kilometres from their village, Umri Sabzipur. According to police officials, the couple had been in a relationship that was strongly opposed by the woman's family, leading to this horrific outcome.
How the Crime Unfolded
On Sunday night, the woman's brothers—identified as Satish, Rinku, and Rajaram—allegedly lured the couple out under false pretenses. They then attacked them brutally with a shovel before burying the bodies under the cover of darkness. The shallow grave was strategically hidden behind the temple in a wooded section along the riverbank, making it difficult to detect without insider knowledge.
SP (city) Kumar Ranvijay provided chilling details of the confession: The brothers admitted they struck both victims with a shovel, tied up the bodies, placed them in plastic sacks, and transported them on a motorcycle to the burial site. They buried them by the river and hid the weapon under a shed at their home.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The grave was only discovered after the two arrested brothers, Satish and Rinku, led police to the location. By that time, the bodies had already begun to decompose, with police estimating that the couple had been dead for at least two days. Rajaram remains absconding, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend him.
SSP Satpal Antil confirmed that a case has been registered against all three brothers under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Notably, police clarified that there is no evidence suggesting the couple had attempted to elope or convert religions, and no charges have been filed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Background of the Victims
Mohd Arman had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where he worked as a mason for four years, arriving back just three months ago. His father, Mohd Hanif, recounted the anguish: He went missing on Sunday night. We approached the police on Wednesday morning. That's when we learned that the woman was also missing. By evening, it was confirmed they had both been killed.
Kajal Saini worked as a schoolteacher in a local private school. Pawan Saini, the village pradhan, noted that the relationship had developed recently and was not accepted by the woman's family. The entire village is in disbelief, he expressed, highlighting the community's shock over the tragedy.
Community Impact and Police Response
In response to the incident, police deployed additional forces in the area to maintain calm and prevent any potential unrest. Senior officers visited the site on Wednesday evening to oversee the investigation and ensure thorough proceedings. The case has drawn significant attention, underscoring ongoing concerns about honor-based violence in certain regions.
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by interfaith couples in some parts of the country, where traditional family pressures can lead to extreme and violent outcomes. Authorities continue to investigate all angles to bring justice for the victims and their grieving families.
