A horrific incident of suspected honour killing has shaken Parchh village in the Maudaha area of Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, after a 24-year-old man was allegedly tied up and brutally beaten to death by the family of his cousin-cum-girlfriend. The woman involved, distressed over the incident, attempted suicide and is currently in critical condition.

The victim has been identified as Ravi Shriwas, a resident of Jaspura in Banda district. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, reportedly inside the woman’s family home. According to preliminary police investigations, Ravi had visited Parchh village around noon to meet the woman, with whom he shared a long-standing romantic relationship. The visit escalated into violence when the woman’s uncle, Pintoo, discovered Ravi at the house.

Eyewitnesses described a heated argument between Ravi and the family members. During the confrontation, Pintoo allegedly attacked Ravi with a knife. The situation quickly turned violent as Pintoo and other relatives reportedly tied Ravi with a rope and assaulted him with sticks, inflicting severe injuries that led to his death. Following the assault, the injured Ravi was taken to the local government hospital, where he was declared dead by the doctors. Initially, the family claimed that Ravi had consumed sulphas tablets, producing an empty container as evidence. However, the severe physical injuries raised suspicions, prompting the medical staff to alert the police.

Ravi’s father, Uma Shankar alias Kali Deen, filed an FIR against five individuals connected to the incident. Hamirpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Deeksha Sharma confirmed the registration of the case, stating that three suspects had been detained. Additional police personnel have been deployed in Parchh village to maintain peace and prevent unrest. The SP noted, “The preliminary probe suggests Ravi was murdered inside the house. The woman’s condition remains serious.”

Following the news of Ravi’s death, the 18-year-old woman reportedly attempted suicide by slitting her throat. She was immediately rushed to the Maudaha government hospital in an auto-rickshaw. The woman’s uncle, Pintoo, also sustained injuries during the altercation and received first aid before being referred for further treatment.

Police investigations reveal that Ravi and the woman were first cousins, and while their relationship was known to both families, it was strongly opposed. Ravi’s family had moved from Parchh village to Banda roughly 20 years ago. Tensions between the families had previously escalated when Ravi allegedly eloped with the woman earlier this year, just four days before her first scheduled marriage on June 2. The police had recovered her after two weeks under pressure, further intensifying animosity between the two families.

The woman’s second marriage had been arranged in Kadaura, Jalaun district, scheduled for November 2. Police suspect that Ravi’s visit to Parchh village on Wednesday was an attempt to persuade the woman to run away again before the wedding. This effort reportedly enraged her family and precipitated the fatal confrontation.

Authorities also noted that Ravi had recorded and shared a video prior to leaving for Parchh village, expressing anger and frustration that the woman’s family had arranged her upcoming marriage. In the video, he reportedly conveyed his intent to meet her again, heightening tensions.

However, statements from the woman’s grandmother, Kalli, offered a different perspective. She claimed that her granddaughter had broken ties with Ravi and agreed to marry the man chosen by the family. Kalli alleged that Ravi tried to forcibly take the woman away and had initially attacked Pintoo with a knife, which led to the violent clash and his eventual death.

The police have emphasized that further investigation is ongoing, and the woman’s statement will be recorded once her health stabilizes. They are also probing the exact sequence of events, including whether the violence was premeditated or escalated spontaneously during the confrontation.

This incident highlights the continuing issue of honour-related violence in rural India, where familial disputes over relationships, particularly involving women and perceived transgressions of social norms, can escalate into lethal outcomes. Police officials have stated their commitment to ensuring justice in the case and have appealed for public cooperation in maintaining peace in Parchh village while the investigation proceeds.

The tragic events in Hamirpur have drawn attention to the vulnerability of individuals in love relationships opposed by families and the extreme measures sometimes taken in the name of family honour. Human rights activists have condemned the act, stressing the need for stricter enforcement of laws against domestic violence, assault, and murder, as well as protection mechanisms for young women caught in familial disputes.

Local authorities are coordinating with district administration officials to monitor the situation in Parchh village and prevent any further escalation of tension between the families. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, focusing on forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and medical reports, which will determine the legal course of action against the accused.

The police have assured that all involved parties will be held accountable under the Indian Penal Code for charges including murder, attempted suicide facilitation, and related offences. As the case develops, it is expected to draw wider attention to the social and legal challenges surrounding love, marriage, and family honor in rural Uttar Pradesh, underscoring the urgent need for community awareness and legal safeguards.