A 28-year-old police constable was brutally hacked to death by her brother on Monday morning near Ibrahimpatnam in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The victim, identified as S Nagamani, was attacked while she was on the phone with her husband, Srikant. The police suspect this was a case of honour killing, and they are also investigating a property dispute angle.
The tragic incident unfolded when Nagamani was on her way to work. According to the police, her brother, Parmesh, who had been vehemently opposed to her recent marriage, allegedly chased her down and attacked her with an axe. The constable had married Srikant, a man from a different caste, on November 21 at Yadagirigutta, despite strong opposition from her family. Nagamani had been posted at the Hayatnagar police station and lived in Hyderabad with her husband.
Police officials reported that Nagamani’s family had not accepted the marriage, and her brother had issued multiple threats to the couple. “Parmesh and the family were called to the police station, and they were given counselling to accept the marriage and not create any problems for the couple,” a police officer said. However, Srikant alleged that despite the police intervention, Parmesh continued to issue threats. Over the past weekend, the couple visited Srikant’s home in Ibrahimpatnam, where tensions continued to simmer.
On Monday morning, after Srikant had left for work, he called Nagamani to check if she had also departed for duty. During their conversation, Nagamani informed him that Parmesh was attacking her, and moments later, the call disconnected. According to police accounts, Parmesh chased Nagamani as she traveled on her scooter and rammed into her vehicle using a car, causing her to fall. He then attacked her with an axe, leaving her with multiple fatal injuries.
By the time Srikant arrived at the scene, it was too late – Nagamani had succumbed to her injuries. Parmesh surrendered to the police shortly after the incident. “About 15 days ago, she married Srikant of Rayapolu village. They had come here for a holiday from Hayatnagar, where they live. In the morning, she was going to duty when a speeding car rammed her scooter from behind, and the driver then hacked her to death with a machete. The suspicion is on her brother, and the matter seems to be family-related. Further investigation will proceed after her brother is detained,” Inspector Bollam Satyanarayana of Ibrahimpatnam police stated.
The incident also involves a property dispute between Nagamani and her brother. Inspector Satyanarayana mentioned that the property angle is being looked into alongside the suspected honour killing motive. “The deceased woman’s parents are no more, and she only has siblings. The man is not able to provide any documentary evidence. We don’t know if they are legally married. Two versions are coming out. One is the honour-killing angle. One is a dispute for the property. We will have clarity very soon,” said DCP Maheshwaram, D Sunitha Reddy.
This tragic case has once again shed light on the menace of honour killings in India, particularly in situations where inter-caste relationships are involved. Despite police intervention, Nagamani’s family’s deep-rooted opposition ultimately led to her tragic demise. The investigation continues as authorities aim to determine the extent of both the honour killing and property dispute motives behind this heinous crime.