Hubballi, Dec 23: A six-month pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her father and relatives in a suspected case of honour killing linked to an inter-caste marriage in Karnataka’s Hubballi district, police said.
The victim, Manya Patil (19–20), a resident of Inam Veerapura village, had married Vivekananda, a Dalit man, in May against her family’s wishes. Manya belonged to the Lingayat community.
Police said the couple had faced threats from the woman’s family and had shifted to Haveri district seeking safety. They had also approached authorities for protection. Efforts to reconcile the two families failed.
The couple returned to their native village on December 8 due to Manya’s advanced pregnancy. On Sunday evening, the accused allegedly attempted to attack Vivekananda and his father at an agricultural field, but they escaped.
Later, between 6 and 6.30 pm, the accused allegedly attacked Manya at her residence using iron rods and pipes. Her husband and in-laws, Subash and Renukamma, were also assaulted while trying to intervene.
Manya was rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries, police said.
Her father Prakashgowda (Prakash Fakkirgoda) Patil and relatives Veeranagowda Patil and Arun Gowda Patil have been arrested.
“The killing was triggered by the woman’s inter-caste love marriage, which her family had strongly opposed,” police said, adding that a special team has been formed to nab other accused.
