Pregnant woman killed in honour killing; father, relatives arrested

 

By Sumesh Rajan | December 23, 2025

Hubballi, Karnataka, INDIA: In a shocking case of suspected honour killing, a seven-months pregnant woman was brutally murdered allegedly by her family members for marrying a man from a different caste in Karnataka’s Dharwad district. The incident occurred at Inam Veerapur village near Belagali in Hubballi taluk on Sunday December 21 night, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Manya Vivekanand Doddamani (19). She succumbed to severe head injuries at a private hospital in Hubballi late on Sunday night. The unborn child also died due to the assault. Manya’s husband, Vivekanand Doddamani, and his parents sustained injuries in the attack and are currently undergoing treatment.

According to police, Manya, who belonged to the Lingayat community, had married Vivekanand, a Dalit youth from the same village, in May 2025 despite strong opposition from her family. Following threats to their lives, the couple had shifted to Haveri after police and revenue officials intervened and attempted reconciliation between the two families.

Sources said the couple returned to the village on December 8. On Sunday evening, Manya’s father Prakashgouda Patil, along with relatives Arungouda Patil and others, allegedly attacked Vivekanand and his father while they were working in the fields. The assailants later barged into the Doddamani residence and assaulted Manya, her mother-in-law Renavva, and other family members using sprinkler pipes and blunt weapons.

Manya was rushed to a private hospital in Hubballi in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries later that night.

Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya said two accused have been taken into custody and a case has been registered against eight persons. “The exact sequence of events and motive will be established after a detailed investigation, but preliminary findings indicate caste-based opposition to the marriage,” she said.

Following the incident, security was intensified in the village and outside the hospital to prevent any law-and-order issues. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar and senior officials visited the hospital to assess the situation and record statements.

The killing has triggered outrage among Dalit organisations. Activists staged a protest at Ambedkar Circle in Hubballi on Monday, placing Manya’s body at the protest site and demanding strict action against the accused.

District in-charge Minister Santosh Lad condemned the murder, calling it a grim reminder of the persistence of caste-based violence. “The poison of casteism has claimed the life of a pregnant woman. The guilty will not be spared,” he said.

Police said further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.