In a shocking case of 'honour' killing in Kerala, a 21-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her father on the eve of her wedding.
Athira, a native of Poovathi Kandi in Areekode, Malappuram, was to get married to Brijesh, an Army man from Koyilandy, who she had been dating for many years.
While Athira's family belongs to Ezhava caste (OBC), Brijesh belongs to Scheduled Caste, said police. An official from Areekode police station said:
The wedding ceremony was supposed to be held at Brijesh's house in Koyilandy. At the time of the incident, Athira's mother and two brothers were reportedly not at home.
According to the police, when Rajan began attacking her, she tried running away to her neighbour’s house. He said:
According to reports, Rajan stabbed her once in the chest.
According to reports, the victim was taken to the Mukkam KMCT College Hospital, and declared dead there. The police arrested Rajan following the incident. Hospital authorities suspect that injury inflicted on the heart lead to the victim’s death.
The incident took place on Thursday afternoon and the wedding was scheduled to take place on Friday, reported Deccan Herald.
According to reports, the families of the couple had approached the Areekode Police to resolve the issue.
When the police intervened, in front of them, Rajan gave his word to get Athira married. However, once they returned home, he continued to raise opposition to the alliance.
Athira worked at the dialysis centre of the Manjeri Medical College. Rajan is a painter by profession.
(The story was published on The News Minute and has been republished here with permission.)
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