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.
Her father, 42-year-old P Rajan, however, was strongly opposed to the alliance as the groom was a Dalit.
While Athira's family belongs to Ezhava caste (OBC), Brijesh belongs to Scheduled Caste, said police. An official from Areekode police station said:
Athira had already eloped once with the man. However, after her family promised to get her married to him, she returned home. The father too reluctantly gave his nod to the marriage as Athira had kept her word and come back home. All the wedding preparations were in full swing and this was when her inebriated father got into an argument with her and stabbed the girl.
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:
She ran to her neighbour’s house, but her father chased her and stabbed her in their kitchen. The victim was stabbed once, but sustained a heavy injury and passed away.
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.
Following this, Rajan even brandished his knife at the neighbours and threatened them before the police arrived.
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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