Karnataka’s shame: Pregnant woman, unborn child killed for marrying Dalit man in honour killing

Hubballi

In a shocking case of alleged honour killing, a six-months pregnant woman and her unborn child were brutally murdered by her own family members for marrying a Dalit man, police said on Sunday. The incident took place at Inam Veerapur village in Hubballi taluk.

The victim, identified as Manya, had married Vivekanand Doddmani, a Dalit youth from the same village, in May this year despite strong opposition from her family. Following the marriage, the couple had moved to Haveri fearing for their lives, but had recently returned to their native village and resumed married life.

According to the police, on Sunday, Manya’s family members launched a deadly attack on Vivekanand and his father while they were working in their agricultural field. The assailants later stormed Vivekanand’s house and assaulted Manya, his mother Renavva and other family members with lethal weapons.

Police said Manya was targeted allegedly for “bringing dishonour to the family.” She suffered severe injuries to her head and abdomen in the attack. She was rushed to Vivekanand Hospital in Hubballi, but doctors declared both Manya and the fetus dead.

Vivekanand’s mother Renavva and his uncle, who were also injured in the assault, remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.

Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya said three accused — Prakashgouda Patil, Veeranagouda Patil and Arungouda Patil — have been taken into custody in connection with the case. “As a precautionary measure, action has also been initiated against seven to eight other individuals. A case has been registered at the Rural Police Station, and further investigation is underway,” the SP said.

The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting the continued menace of caste-based violence and honour crimes in the region.