In a case of honour killing, a 21-year-old pregnant woman was burnt alive by her family members for marrying outside her religion in Karnataka’s Vijaypura district. According to media reports, the deceased woman has been identified as Banu Begum.
The victim had eloped to Goa with Sayabanna Sharanappa Konnur from Valmiki caste and had married him. Konnur also sustained injuries in the ghastly incident and is battling for life in a hospital.
Banu and Konnur hail from the same place and had fallen in love. Banu’s family was against the relationship. The family members had lodged a case against Konnur under the Pocso Act with the Talikote police.
However, two days after lodging the complaint, Banu eloped with Konnur to Goa on January 24 and both of them returned to the village four days ago, after getting married at the sub-registrar’s office in Muddebihal.
The couple had decided to head back to their native village hoping their families would accept the marriage.
The couple went to meet their families to tell them about the pregnancy on Saturday morning, however the families didn’t accept their marriage and a huge fight raged through the day.
On Saturday night, when the couple refused to give in to their families’ demands, Sayabanna’s father, along with Banu’s mother, brother and sister brutally assaulted him.
The relatives of Banu stabbed her and set her ablaze. They also assaulted Konnur and set him afire.
The police have arrested Banu’s mother, sister, brother-in-law and brother in connection with the incident. Her two other elder sisters and brothers are absconding.
