Kerala: Angry over relation with Dalit, drunk father stabs daughter to death on wedding day

Malappuram: Angry over marrying a boy from a lower caste, a 22-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed to death by her father a day before her marriage. The shocking case of honour killing took place in Kerala`s Malappuram district on Thursday.

Athira, a dialysis technician at the state-run Manjeri Medical College Hospital, had been dating Brijesh, an army man posted in Lucknow, for several years. The girl's family belonged to Ezhava caste (OBC) while Brijesh belongs to Scheduled Caste, said the police. The couple had once eloped but were convinced to come back home by their families. 

Athira's father – 42 year-old Rajan – a casual labourer, had reluctantly agreed to give his nod to the wedding.

A day before the wedding, while preparations were in full swing, the father-daughter entered into a heated argument. Rajan, who was in an inebriated state, which he stabbed Athira several times with a kitchen knife.

Athira was rushed to a nearby hospital immediately where she succumbed to her injuries.

"Rajan was opposed to their relationship. The marriage was fixed for today (Friday) at a temple. Yesterday at 4.30 p.m., Rajan came home drunk. As Athira tried to run away, he chased her and stabbed her to death," said investigating police officer NB Shaiju.

Rajan has been arrested. "We will certainly look into every aspect," the officer added.  

 

With agency inputs