Woman ‘marries’ body of lover in Nanded after her kin ‘murder’ him

On November 28, while the last rites were going on at Saksham’s house, Aanchal performed marriage rituals by applying turmeric on his body and vermillion on her forehead. Videos of the incident has since been widely shared on social media.

Stating that their love would “remain immortal”, Aanchal said, “Our love has won even in Saksham’s death…my father and brothers have lost.”

Demanding death sentence for her family members and justice for Saksham, Aanchal said, “We were in love for the past three years. However, my family was against it because he was from a different caste. So they killed Saksham. His murderers should be hanged. He should get justice,” Aanchal told mediapersons.

Police said that Saksham, a labourer and a resident of Itwara area, and Aanchal’s family members, living in Siddhanathpuri, have previous criminal records.

According to police, Saksham had cordial relations with the woman’s family but his relationship with Aanchal led to a dispute.

On November 27, Aanchal’s brother Himesh Mamidwar allegedly fired at Saksham at Milind Nagar in Itwara area of Nanded, and later smashed his head with a tile, killing him on the spot.

An FIR was registered based on a complaint by Saksham’s mother Sangita Tate (40) at Itwara police station against eight persons, including Aanchal’s parents and brothers, under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 103, 61 (2), 189, 190, 191 (2), 193 (3), sections of the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections of the Indian Arms Act.

Police arrested Anchal’s father Gajanan Mamidwar, mother Jayshree, brother Sahil and their associates Somesh Lakhe and Vedant Kundekar. While a minor involved in the crime was sent to observation home, two other accused are yet to be identified, police said.

Investigation officer in the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prashant Shinde said, “We have arrested five accused and taken their custody from the court for further investigation. Weapons used for the murder have been seized. A minor accused was sent to observation home as per the law. All arrested accused have committed serious crimes in the past.”

Sangita, who works at a cloth shop in Nanded, alleged that Aanchal’s family were against her relationship with Saksham because of his caste and her parents and brothers had been threatening to kill him for a month. But Saksham did not approach the police as they had filed an offence against him in the past, she claimed in the FIR.

She claimed that Himesh, Lakhe, Kundekar and two others went to Saksham’s home, asking for him, around 4 pm on November 27. His brother Shivam told the accused that he was not at home, so they left the place, the FIR stated. But around 6 pm, they allegedly killed Saksham, it said.

According to police, Saksham was booked in eight criminal offences in the past. He was also jailed under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA). He was released from jail a couple of months ago, a police officer said.

“Since Saksham was released from jail, my family was planning to kill him… My brothers and Saksham were good friends in the past. But they killed him due to our affair,” Aanchal said, adding that that she will stay at Saksham’s home.

Asked whether the girl has been provided security, DySP Shinde said, “We have not provided any security neither she nor anyone close to her has asked for it. All her close family members are in jail now. If security is demanded, we will discuss with our seniors and provide the same.”