India – The decision taken by a woman and a Dalit youth proved to be fatal for the latter’s family in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad. The Dalit youth’s teenaged brother was beheaded and his parents were attacked with sharp weapons after he eloped with the woman.

The incident took place on Saturday at the Lakh-Khandala village in Vaijapur tehsil of Aurangabad. The father and uncle of the woman allegedly beheaded the youth’s 17-year-old brother.

The accused were identified as Devidas Devkar and Rohidas. The minor deceased was identified as Bhimraj Gaikwad and his parents were been identified as Balasaheb and Alka.

On March 12, Bhimraj’s elder brother and Devlar’s daughter eloped from the village. Upset with the same, Devkar’s family allegedly attacked Bhimraj and his family.

After the incident, Devkar and his brother were booked for murder and under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. After the case was filed, the police also produced Devkar and his brother in court and remanded them in police custody for 4 days.

The victims approached the police one day after the incident took place, The Times of India reported. As per the victims, the police did not take any action against the accused even as they filed a complaint with them. The police allegedly turned a deaf ear towards the grievances and fears expressed by the victims.

After the incident came to light, several Dalit activists demanded an inquiry into the alleged police inaction along with strict action against the accused persons. State home minister Anil Deshmukh took to Twitter and assured that the Aurangabad rural police will complete the investigation within 30 days and will also file a charge sheet in relation to the incident.

–The Times of India