Woman killed by father, brother over love, body burnt

 

By Sagaya Fernando | June 29, 2025 

Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: In a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district, police have arrested a 55-year-old man and his 24-year-old son for allegedly killing their daughter and sister, Saraswati, over what they described as “shame” associated with her romantic relationship. The partially burnt body of the 23-year-old woman was discovered earlier this month in a forested area, police said.

The woman, a graduate who had been working as a delivery agent in Gurgaon, in Haeyana, had returned to her village in May reportedly to convince her family to approve her marriage to her partner, identified as Amit. According to police, she had previously left two marriages arranged by the family and was frequently at odds with them over her decisions.

On June 3, police recovered a half-burnt body from the jungle near Katia village, under Kakrouli police station limits. “The body was severely burnt, but a silver bracelet on her wrist helped us identify her,” said Station House Officer Joginder Singh. Investigators cross-checked the bracelet with photos on social media and confirmed the woman’s identity as Saraswati.

Following her identification, police detained her father, Rajvir Singh, a labourer, and her brother, Sumit, a truck driver. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed to strangling her on the night of May 29, with the help of a third accomplice, after she began packing her belongings to leave the house.

According to police statements, the accused admitted to burning her body near a canal, around five kilometers from their residence, in an attempt to destroy evidence and avoid identification.

“They said they were deeply ashamed due to her repeated defiance of family expectations and concern over their standing in the community,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Verma. “An FIR has been filed for murder and destruction of evidence, and we are pursuing the third accused involved in the act.”

Saraswati and Amit reportedly met while working as delivery partners in 2022. He told police she had returned home on May 10, intending to speak with her family one final time. Amit said he last heard from her on May 26.

The case has prompted widespread condemnation, reigniting debates over women’s autonomy, family honour, and gender-based violence in rural India.