Nineteen-year-old Pankaj wanted to marry his love Pooja (name changed). But he could have never imagined even in his wildest dreams that he will have to pay with his life for his wish.
On Saturday afternoon, Pankaj was allegedly killed by Pooja’s father and others while the former was returning home from a market in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur-Kheri district, about 150 kilometres from here.
According to reports, Pankaj, who worked at a farm in Punjab, was in love with Pooja. The two had expressed their desire to marry before their parents.
While Pankaj’s family did not object, Pooja’s father Uttam Maurya was against their relationship. Uttam had warned Pankaj to keep away from his daughter and also threatened him with dire consequences if he did not heed his warning.
Pankaj, who had returned to his village a couple of days ago, was spotted with Pooja by Uttam on Saturday morning near her college.
Later in the evening, Uttam and others intercepted Pankaj while he was on his way back home from a nearby market and opened fire at him. Pankaj died on the spot, according to the police while the perpetrators managed to escape from the spot.
“It is a case of honour killing. A case has been registered against Uttam, who is absconding,” said Rajesh Kumar, the station officer.
Several lovers had been killed in the past in UP, especially in the Jat dominated western region for defying their families.
The all powerful khaps, the caste panchayats, have made it clear that they will not allow love marriages and marriages in the same gotra.
The panchayats have also punished lovers for defying their diktat.
A few months ago, a young girl was killed by her father in Hapur district as she refused to desert her lover and marry someone else according to her family’s wishes.
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