Pregnant woman killed in suspected honour killing in Dharwad village, father among 3 arrested

HUBBALLI: A horrific honour killing has shaken Dharwad district, where a man brutally murdered his seven-month pregnant daughter for marrying a Dalit youth at Inam Veerapura village on Sunday evening. The police have arrested the girl’s father Prakashgouda Patil and two others while the youth, Vivekanand, and his mother are hospitalised with injuries.

The father approaching the house with an axe.

The victim, Manya Patil (20), and her husband Vivekananda Mariyappa Doddamani, had been in a relationship since college, but their families opposed the inter-caste marriage. Manya, who is from the Lingayat community, and Vivekanand, from the Dalit community, got married in June despite their families’ objections. They were living in Haveri, but returned to their village on December 8 after Manya’s parents threatened to kill them.

Two of the arrested.

On the day of the incident, Manya’s father Prakashgouda Patil, and relatives attacked Manya, her husband and her mother-in-law. Manya was beaten with a pipe and spade and she died during treatment at a hospital in Hubballi.

Dharwad SP Gunjan Arya said on Monday, “Three people including Manya’s father, uncle, and a relative have been arrested and more arrests are expected as others involved are being identified. Manya’s husband and two others are hospitalised with injuries.

The SP stated that despite police mediation and warnings, the attack occurred. The couple’s inter-caste marriage was opposed by Manya’s parents. While no explicit caste-based motive has been confirmed, it’s suspected to be a factor.

Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar visited KIMS hospital on Monday, where Manya’s body was kept, and assured action against the accused. Dharwad SP Gunjan Arya also visited the hospital. The police have provided tight security in the village and at the hospital.

Manya’s body was taken for cremation in Inam Veerapura village amidst tight police security. Vivekanand, who lit the funeral pyre, said, “We married despite caste differences. Manya was my everything. I demand justice for her”.

Manya’s burial was met with resistance at Inam Veerapura village as the family was denied permission to cremate her body in the local cemetery, forcing them to consider alternative arrangements. The village panchayat stepped in to provide wood and other essentials for the cremation, which was eventually held in a field near the village.

The atmosphere was tense, with police maintaining a heavy presence to prevent further violence. Manya’s husband, Vivekanand, was left to navigate the arrangements alone, as his family was hospitalised and Manya’s relatives had fled the village.

Dalit leaders and organizations have condemned the honour killing and have demanded justice. They announced protests against Manya’s honour killing in Hubballi and had planned to block the Hubballi-Dharwad road and hold demonstrations outside KIMS hospital, where Manya’s body was kept earlier in the day.

The protesters demanded the arrest of all those involved in the killing. Manya’s body was taken to Ambedkar Circle in Hubballi, where protesters paid tribute and demanded justice. The body was later taken to the village for cremation, amidst tight security.