“The man had opposed her relationship, as he has five daughters. He feared that an inter-caste marriage would affect the marriage prospects of his other
KALABURAGI — An 18-year-old was strangled to death by her father at their home and later her body was burnt in an attempt to destroy evidence in Kalaburagi, said the police on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Kavita. The police suspect it was an instance of honour-killing. The murder took place at Melakunda village, a few kilometres away from Kalaburagi City, on Wednesday, TNIE reported.
With no villager coming forward to register a complaint, an assistant sub-inspector at Fartabad Police Station, Ashok Jamadar, said he had to step in.
The police have registered an FIR against Kavita’s father, Shankar Kollur, and two others, Sharanappa Kollur and Dattappa, for murder.
Police sources said that Kavita, a Lingayat, was in love with Malappa Pujari, a Kuruba, and an auto-rickshaw driver.
A few days ago, Kavita’s family came to know about her relationship with Malappa and tried to dissuade her. She said she wanted to marry Malappa and if the family members opposed it, she would elope with him.
On Wednesday, Shankar strangled his daughter with his hands at their house. With the help of his nephew, Sharanappa, and another relative, Dattappa, Shankar poured pesticide in her mouth and claimed that Kavita committed suicide by consuming pesticide. They later burnt her body in a field belonging to Shankar’s brother, Mahalingappa. The police are yet to arrest the accused.

