LUCKNOW: In a suspected case of honour killing in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly strangled by her father over her relationship with a youth from another community. The incident took place in Bhaktapur village of Risia on Monday night. The girl's mother informed the police that her husband killed their daughter. The accused father, Hardev Chauhan, aged 50, was arrested on Tuesday.
Relationship opposed by family
Police said the girl was in a relationship with a youth who lived near her home, and this was opposed by her family. Despite repeated objections and counselling by family members, the girl was adamant on marrying him. Police suspect the father planned the murder after failing to convince his daughter to end the relationship.
Murder during sleep
According to police, Hardev strangled the girl on Monday night while she was asleep on a cot. He reportedly slept beside the body through the night and informed the police about the death the next morning.
Previous elopement
Police sources revealed that the girl had eloped with her boyfriend three months ago, and her family had filed a complaint accusing him of abduction. Police later traced the couple to Mumbai and brought them back to Bahraich after recording the girl's statement.
On Monday, the girl again went to the youth's house and stayed there for several hours before police brought her back home on her family's complaint.
Legal action
SHO Risia, Karunakar Pandey, said a case was registered and the accused father taken into custody. The body was sent for postmortem.
