A teenaged boy and his girlfriend were found dead under mysterious circumstances in a Haryana village, prompting fears that yet another honour killing had been committed.
The bodies of Sham Mohammad, a Muslim, and Rina, a Hindu Jat, were found in the backyard of a government school at Smain village in Fatehabad district, 50 km from Hisar on Sunday morning.
Although an empty bottle of celphos tablets — a grain preservative often used to commit suicide — was found near the bodies, the police suspect foul play.
The bodies bear injuries caused by blunt and sharp weapons, indicating the possibility of murder, officials said.
“An autopsy will reveal whether they consumed celphos tablets or were murdered,” SP Jagwant Singh Lamba said.
Sham and Rina wanted to marry each other but their families were against the alliance. Last year, the two allegedly eloped from the village, but were found in a nearby village some days later.
The village panchayat then asked Sham to leave Smain, after which he shifted to Kadyan village in Punjab. But he was back in Smain recently to meet his parents.
“This is not suicide,” alleged Nanu Mohammad, an uncle of Sham. “Both Sham and Rina have been killed by Rina’s relatives.”
{{/usCountry}}“This is not suicide,” alleged Nanu Mohammad, an uncle of Sham. “Both Sham and Rina have been killed by Rina’s relatives.”
{{/usCountry}}