UP horror: Man beats 2 daughters to death, aided by minor sons

LUCKNOW: In a suspected case of honour killing, a man allegedly beat his two daughters to death with the help of his minor sons in Kushinagar district, police said on Tuesday. The accused is absconding, while the two juvenile boys have been detained for questioning. The incident occurred in Pipraghat village under Sevarhi police station limits. The victims, Lali (20) and Sheela (18), were daughters of Ram Prasad Mallah, a resident of Devanarayan Tola in the village. Police said the crime came to light on Monday night after a village watchman alerted them. A police team rushed to the house and found the bodies of both sisters lying in a pool of blood inside a room. According to the preliminary investigation, the assault took place around 9 pm on Monday when the accused allegedly confined his daughters in a room and, along with his two sons aged 14 and 12, attacked them with sticks and wooden rods. Officials said the victims sustained severe injuries and died on the spot. After the incident, the father fled the village, while the two minor boys remained at the house. They were later taken into custody by police. Senior officers, including Additional Superintendent of Police Siddharth Verma and Circle Officer Jayant Kumar, visited the spot. A forensic team collected evidence from the scene before the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. Police said the killings appear to be linked to the sisters’ relationships with two local youths. According to police and local inputs, both women had been involved in separate relationships and had allegedly eloped with their partners last year. They had returned home around six months ago following intervention by family members and villagers. A panchayat was also held, after which the sisters resumed living with their family. However, tensions reportedly persisted within the household. Police said the father had strongly opposed the relationships, and frequent disputes were reported between him and his daughters. Superintendent of Police, Kushinagar, Keshav Kumar, said the accused allegedly believed that his daughters’ actions had tarnished the family’s reputation. “Preliminary findings suggest that resentment had been building for months before culminating in the fatal assault,” said the officer. A murder case has been registered against Ram Prasad and his two sons based on a complaint filed by the village watchman. While the juveniles are being questioned, police teams have been formed to trace and arrest the absconding father. Kumar said the case prima facie appeared to be an honour killing. “The investigation so far indicates the involvement of the father and two minor brothers. Both sisters were in contact with different youths. The father objected to these relationships, but they continued despite his opposition. Prima facie, the incident appears to be a case of honour killing, though all angles are being examined,” he said. The gruesome murders have sent shockwaves through the village. Residents expressed disbelief over the brutality of the crime, while police presence was maintained in the area to prevent any law-and-order issues.