In a shocking incident of caste-based violence, a youth was brutally murdered in Mahabubnagar (Palamuru) district after his brother allegedly married a girl from an upper caste without her family’s consent. According to police, Bhavani (18) of Ellampally village in Farooqnagar mandal had fallen in love with Dalit youth Chandrasekhar (25), an auto driver from the same village. The couple, who had reportedly eloped after a recent intercaste marriage, faced strong opposition from Bhavani’s family. Despite previous police counselling sessions that resulted in both families agreeing to separate the duo, the two continued to stay in contact and later fled the village together, further enraging Bhavani’s father, Kagula Venkatesh.
Investigators said that Venkatesh, unable to trace the couple, targeted Chandrasekhar’s elder brother Rajasekhar (30), who had been residing with his wife in Ayyappa Colony, Shadnagar for the past six years. On Wednesday night, Venkatesh, along with a group of accomplices, allegedly kidnapped Rajasekhar from his residence and took him towards Nawabpet mandal in Mahabubnagar district, where he was killed and his body was reportedly burnt using petrol to destroy evidence. Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s wife Vani, a kidnapping and murder case has been registered by Shadnagar Police, who have launched an investigation into the suspected honor killing.
The brutal murder has triggered grief and outrage among the victim’s family members, who broke down in sorrow while demanding justice. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Bhavani and Chandrasekhar remain unknown as police continue efforts to trace the couple. Authorities are examining possible involvement of additional suspects and are treating the incident as a grave case of caste-based retaliation.