In a deeply disturbing incident from Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, the family of an 18-year-old Dalit youth has alleged extreme brutality in his murder, which they attribute to his relationship with a girl from an upper-caste background. The teenager died after being severely beaten by members of the girl’s family.
The victim had reportedly been involved in a relationship with the minor daughter of an upper-caste family for approximately six months. On Sunday night, he received a call from the girl asking him to meet her at her village in the Pratapgarh Block’s Kholgarh area. He arrived accompanied by a friend. Upon reaching the location, both young men were reportedly confined in a room and subjected to a violent assault.
The victim’s father, Dhanpal Lal, has made serious allegations about the nature of the torture inflicted on his son. According to the family, the teenager suffered deep bruises across his back, chest, and limbs. His fingernails and toenails were allegedly pulled out using pliers, and nails were driven into his feet. He also sustained severe injuries to his genitals. Both the victim and his friend were reportedly beaten with sticks.
The killing has triggered widespread outrage in the region. The victim’s family and local residents protested outside the hospital, criticising the police for delays in arresting those responsible. A video purportedly showing the assault has been circulating on social media, further inflaming tensions. The family has refused to claim the body for last rites until all the accused are taken into custody.
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Dhanpal Lal stated firmly that he would not take his son’s body until justice was served on the spot. “I am a poor man. I do not have the resources to run around courts for years. I want justice delivered right here,” he said.
The victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. Authorities have confirmed that two individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the case, with investigations continuing. Evidence has been collected from the scene, according to Tehri Senior Superintendent of Police Shweta Choubey.
This incident has once again highlighted the sensitivities surrounding inter-caste relationships in parts of rural India, where such associations can sometimes provoke extreme reactions from family members. The case remains under active investigation as police work to establish the full sequence of events.
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