LUCKNOW: A 17-year-old girl was allegedly hacked to death by her elder brother with a sharp-edged weapon in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district on Saturday, days after she had returned home following her recovery by police after leaving with her boyfriend.Police said the murder appears to have been driven by the family’s opposition to the teenager’s love affair.The gruesome incident took place around 7 am in Bajehra village under the Rampur Mathura police station area, nearly 73 kilometres from the district headquarters.Victim Chased and Attacked While Trying to EscapeAccording to the police and family members, the victim, Sumitra (17), got into an argument with her brother Komal Yadav (22) over her relationship with a youth from the same village.The argument soon turned violent, with the accused allegedly assaulting his sister inside the house. When Sumitra attempted to flee to save herself, Komal allegedly chased her outside, knocked her to the ground and repeatedly attacked her with a banka—a heavy, curved sharp-edged weapon commonly used in rural areas. One of the blows nearly severed her neck, while several more were inflicted even after she collapsed.She died on the spot due to the severe injuries.The accused fled immediately after the murder before police arrived.Girl Had Returned Home After Leaving With BoyfriendPolice said Sumitra had left her home on July 22 with her alleged boyfriend, Anurag Yadav, a resident of the same village.Following a complaint lodged by her family, police recovered her the next day, July 23, produced her before a court and subsequently handed her back to her family.However, according to investigators, tensions within the family escalated after her return. Her brother reportedly remained angry over her relationship and frequently quarrelled with her over the issue.Mother Eyewitness to the IncidentThe victim’s mother, Ramrani, said she had intervened during an argument between the siblings earlier in the morning and had managed to calm them down. She claimed she had even asked her son to leave the house.According to her, Komal returned shortly afterwards in an enraged state and again began assaulting Sumitra.“As she ran outside to save herself, he picked up a banka, chased her, knocked her down and repeatedly struck her on the neck until she died,” the grieving mother told police.The killing triggered panic in the village, with a large number of residents gathering at the scene.A police team from Rampur Mathura police station reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. The body was taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination.A forensic team inspected the crime scene, collected evidence and sealed the area for further investigation.Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Durgesh Singh said preliminary investigation indicates that the murder was committed due to the family’s opposition to the girl’s love affair.“The accused is absconding. Multiple police teams have been formed to trace and arrest him. Raids are being conducted at possible hideouts, and family members and villagers are also being questioned,” the officer said.Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.
