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On August 28, a woman was found dead, with a bullet wound to her temple, at her home in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi. Her family initially claimed it was a case of suicide, although no suicide note was recovered.
On Thursday, police arrested her mother and differently abled elder brother for allegedly killing her, as they were opposed to her marriage to a youth from another community (backward class).
The woman was identified as Manvi Mishra (24). The accused were identified as Choti Bitya (55) and Ashutosh Mishra alias Veeru (27).
Police said their suspicion arose after the weapon, allegedly used by the woman, was found on the wrong side of her body. During their investigation, police said they also found that the family was opposed to her marriage.
Manvi’s husband, Abhinav Kumar, filed a complaint, alleging that the accused had shot his wife dead. Based on this, a case of murder was registered at the Pali police station in Hardoi against the accused.
“During the probe, it was found that the victim’s family was unhappy with her relationship. The accused shot her dead from close range while she was asleep,” said Sompal Gangwar, Station House Officer (SHO), Pali police station.
He added that suspicion arose early in the investigation when it was noticed that the bullet had entered the victim’s head from the left side, but the country-made pistol was in her right hand — which did not match the circumstances of suicide. “Subsequently, evidence was collected against the accused, leading to their arrest,” the SHO said.
Gangwar said the investigation revealed that Manvi had been in a relationship with Abhinav. Manvi was preparing for competitive exams while Abhinav, who is in his 30s, is the principal of a government school in Bareilly.
Police said that as her family opposed the match, the two got married at an Arya Samaj temple on January 7. Manvi began living with Abhinav.
“When the family came to know of the marriage, her brother went to Abhinav’s house the same month and persuaded Manvi to return home, assuring her that a formal wedding ceremony would be arranged on December 2. Trusting him, she went back to her parental home,” Gangwar said.
However, police said, the victim had frequent arguments with her family members over the marriage.
Last month, she was killed.
Police said the weapon allegedly used in the crime has been recovered.
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