Nanded, Maharashtra: The sensational murder case in Nanded, Maharashtra, that shocked the nation last week has taken a dramatic turn with new allegations of police complicity. Aanchal Mamidwar, the 21-year-old woman who had gained national attention for performing a ritual “marriage” with the corpse of her murdered boyfriend, has accused local police officials of abetting the killing of her lover, 20-year-old Saksham Tate, at the hands of her own brother.

The murder, which appears to have been triggered by caste-based animosity, has already led to the arrest of Aanchal’s two brothers, Himesh and Sahil Mamidwar, and their father, Gajanan Mamidwar. However, Aanchal’s latest claims suggest that the tragedy may have been aggravated, if not instigated, by officers from the Itwara police station, raising serious questions about law enforcement practices in the area.

Allegations Against the Police

In a statement to news agency PTI on Monday, Aanchal claimed that two police officers directly provoked her brother Himesh to commit the murder. She alleged that on the morning of the killing, Himesh had taken her to the Itwara police station with the intention of having her file complaints against Saksham Tate. According to Aanchal, she refused to comply with her brother’s instructions to lodge “fake complaints” against her boyfriend.

It was then, she alleges, that the police escalated the situation instead of defusing it. “Two police officials provoked him (Himesh), saying that he should go kill the man rather than getting into a fight with other people,” Aanchal told PTI. She added, “The policemen told my brother, ‘Instead of making false cases, why don’t you actually kill him before coming to us?’ My brother took it as a challenge and killed Saksham.”

These claims, if proven true, point to a disturbing level of collusion between law enforcement and perpetrators in crimes with caste-based motives, raising questions about accountability and procedural lapses in local policing.

Background of the Relationship

Saksham Tate belonged to a so-called lower caste, and his relationship with Aanchal, a friend of her brothers, had reportedly lasted for three years. Sources suggest that the affair had become a source of tension within the Mamidwar family, eventually culminating in what appears to be an “honour killing.”

Aanchal’s act of “marrying” Saksham’s corpse made headlines across the country. At the time, she had visited Saksham’s home after the murder, and using his blood as vermillion, symbolically married him, stating that she wanted to make their love immortal. While her actions drew widespread attention and sympathy from some quarters, they also highlighted the deep-seated social tensions and caste prejudices that continue to drive such violent acts.

Details of the Murder

According to preliminary police investigations, the murder took place on Thursday evening in Nanded’s old Ganj area. Saksham was standing with friends when a confrontation erupted between him and Himesh Mamidwar. The fight quickly escalated, and Himesh allegedly shot Saksham in the ribs, following up by smashing a tile or stone on his head, which resulted in instant death.

Following the incident, Himesh, his brother Sahil, and their father Gajanan were taken into custody. Police have booked six individuals in connection with the crime, charging them under the Indian Penal Code for murder, rioting, and the Arms Act, as well as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Alleged History of Police-Family Collusion

Aanchal also alleged a long history of collusion between her family and local police. She claimed that both her father and brothers had been previously booked in multiple cases and even served time in jail, but had allegedly “settled everything through adjustments with the police.” These claims, if verified, point to systemic issues of impunity and preferential treatment, which may have emboldened her family to commit the latest crime.

Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar responded to the allegations by confirming that Aanchal’s statement had been officially recorded. However, he noted that she had not previously mentioned the alleged role of police officers in provoking her brother. “The case is being investigated thoroughly,” Kumar said, while cautioning that allegations against police officials would need to be verified through evidence and witness testimonies.

Caste Dimensions and ‘Honour Killings’

The murder is being viewed through the lens of caste dynamics, with Saksham’s lower-caste identity reportedly being a key factor in his targeted killing. In India, caste-based honour killings remain a persistent social issue, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, where inter-caste relationships are often met with violent opposition from families and communities.

Experts note that honour killings are typically carried out to preserve family “honour” and maintain caste hierarchies. In this case, Aanchal’s brother Himesh appears to have acted with both personal and social motivations, compounded, according to Aanchal, by alleged encouragement from law enforcement officials.

National Attention and Public Response

The case first captured national attention not because of the murder itself, but because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Aanchal’s symbolic marriage to Saksham’s corpse. Images of her performing the ritual circulated widely on social media and in news coverage, prompting a mix of outrage, empathy, and fascination.

The new allegations of police complicity add a more troubling dimension to the story, as they suggest that systemic failures within law enforcement may have contributed to the escalation of the crime. The incident has sparked debates on social media and among legal experts regarding police accountability, caste-based violence, and the responsibility of authorities in preventing crimes.

Investigations and Legal Proceedings

The police have stated that the case remains under active investigation. Evidence collection, witness testimonies, and forensic analysis are ongoing, with the aim of verifying Aanchal’s allegations against the Itwara police station. Senior officials have indicated that, if substantiated, the charges could include criminal abetment and dereliction of dutyagainst the officers involved.

Meanwhile, the legal proceedings against Himesh, Sahil, and Gajanan Mamidwar are expected to continue under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Arms Act, and Indian Penal Code provisions for murder. The court will also examine whether there is sufficient evidence to link the alleged police provocation to the actual act of killing.

Implications and Social Commentary

The Nanded case highlights multiple social and systemic issues. First, it underscores the persistence of caste-based prejudices that can escalate into violent crimes when combined with family honor concepts. Second, it raises serious concerns about police conduct and accountability, particularly in rural and semi-urban India, where law enforcement officers often operate under social pressures or personal biases. Third, the case demonstrates the complexities involved when crimes intersect with family dynamics, caste hierarchies, and the digital amplification of public attention.

Aanchal’s narrative, which includes both her grief and her allegations against the police, has made her a symbol of both tragic love and systemic failure. Her act of marrying Saksham’s corpse may have been driven by personal loss, but it has also brought public scrutiny to a case that might otherwise have been treated as just another instance of caste-related violence.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, the Maharashtra police face intense scrutiny regarding both the handling of the murder case and the alleged role of officers in abetting the crime. The Nanded incident is a stark reminder of the intersection of caste, family, and law enforcement in India, highlighting the need for greater accountability, proactive policing, and social reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In the coming weeks, the focus will likely shift to verification of Aanchal’s allegations, prosecution of her family members, and potential disciplinary action against the implicated police officers. Meanwhile, public discourse around honour killings, caste dynamics, and police ethics continues, reinforcing the critical need for systemic changes in how such crimes are prevented and addressed in India.

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