Bhavnagar bride-to-be killed hours before ceremony, accused fiancé on the run

An argument over money and the Panetar or bridal dress escalated into violence with the groom-to-be hitting the bride-to-be with an iron rod, the police said.

The accused, 26-year-old groom-to-be Sajan Khagna Baraiya (right), allegedly stormed into Soni’s house early in the morning, argued with her, struck her with an iron rod, and rammed her head against the wall, killing her. (Express Photo)

The accused, 26-year-old groom-to-be Sajan Khagna Baraiya (right), allegedly stormed into Soni Himmat Rathod’s house early in the morning, argued with her, struck her with an iron rod, and rammed her head against the wall, killing her. (Express Photo)

A Saturday that was meant to be one of the happiest days of their lives ended in tragedy for the Rathod family in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar as bride-to-be Soni Himmat Rathod, 22, was murdered inside her home, allegedly by her fiancé, just hours before their wedding.

According to the police, the incident occurred at the Rathods’ house near Prabhudas Talav in Bhavnagar. The accused, 26-year-old groom-to-be Sajan Khagna Baraiya, allegedly stormed into Soni’s house early in the morning, argued with her, struck her with an iron rod, and rammed her head against the wall, killing her. He then fled the scene even as the ruckus woke up the rest of the family.

“Soni and Sajan were together for the last one-and-a-half years, which the family did not like. But due to the community outreach, the families agreed to get them married. The day was set for November 15. Some rituals took place on Friday, and the nuptials were set to take place on Saturday,” R R Singhal, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bhavnagar City Division Police, said.

The wedding invitation of Sajan Baraiya and Soni Rathod. (Express Photo)

“Since they were getting married, Soni had gone back to her maternal home. Early on Saturday morning, Sajan arrived there and they had an altercation regarding the Panetar (bridal dress) and Paisa (money),” Singhal added.

The police said the argument escalated, following which Sajan allegedly took an iron pipe and hit Soni several times, inflicting grievous injuries to her head and body. When the family woke up and rushed to see what was causing the ruckus, they found Soni dead.

Wedding mandap after Sajan Baraiya killed Soni Rathod. (Express Photo by Chirag Chitoliya)

The family called the police control room, following which a team from Gangajaliya police station reached the spot. Her body was sent for a post-mortem.

DySP Singhal said that Sajan has been booked in several cases, including attempt to murder, loot, and assault, among other crimes.

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The Gangajaliya police and the Local Crime Branch are on the lookout for Sajan. An FIR is in the process of being filed at the Gangajaliya police station.

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Gujarat
murder