The attack on Madhavi and Sandeep comes days after a similar incident took place in which 24-year-old Pranay lost his life.
Hours after the attack on 21-year-old Madhavi and her husband 23-year-old Sandeep, Madhavi’s condition remains critical, doctors at Hyderabad Yashoda hospital told TNM.
According to Sandeep's family, Manoharachari was angered by his daughter’s decision to marry Sandeep allegedly because he was from a different caste. While Sandeep belongs to a scheduled caste, Madhavi's family (OBC) are goldsmiths by profession.
The couple was rushed to Neelima hospital. Sandeep sustained a gash to the cheek and is stable now, however Madhavi was shifted to Yashoda hospital.
Madhavi’s left hand suffered several grievous cuts, and is nearly amputated according to the doctors. “Her hand was practically hanging by the skin when she was brought to us. We are focusing on trying to save her life first, that is what is important,” the hospital reported.
While a few of Sandeep’s relatives came to the hospital to see the couple, it can’t be said with utmost certainty whether any of Madhavi’s family has come.
Speaking to TNM, Sandeep's uncle Venu said, "The couple got married around a week ago, later they told us about it from police station. And we accepted their marriage and they have been staying in Erragadda with our family.
Everyday in the evening after getting drunk, Madhavi's father would come and terrorise us, saying that he'll throw bomb and give other threats, but in the morning he would act normal. In fact two days ago he came to our house again and asked to send their daughter back. We said that if the daughter is willing, she can, but Madhavi refused. We never thought that he would go to such an extent. We are equally shocked.”
A number of activists have also gathered at the hospital. Noted women's rights activist Sandhya, from Pragathiseela Mahila Sangam, said that it seems to be a caste killing, “You can see the number of people who praised Amrutha’s father Maruti Rao for the action he took, this has brazened others to perform similar acts,” she said citing the murder of 24-year-old Pranay on 14 September in Miryalaguda.
Venu further stated that after the Miryalaguda incident, he had a hunch and asked the couple to not go out for a few days. However since Manoharachari was visiting daily and taking her into confidence, the couple decided to go, “Even today, if I would have known, I would have told them not to go, but the girl probably decided to go because her father called,” he said.
(This story was first published on The News Minute and has been republished by The Quint with permission.)
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