MP woman, 21, murdered by father, uncle for working outside, short hair: Police

A 21-year-old woman from Dabra in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district was allegedly murdered by her father and uncle on Monday after they objected to her working in Karnataka, having short hair, and bringing a male colleague home, police said. Nandani Yadav, who worked as a manager at a mall in Vijaypura, Karnataka, was killed in what police describe as an honor-related crime.

Nandani’s father, Bhagwan Singh Yadav, and her uncle, Santosh Singh Yadav, have been accused of the murder. Bhagwan has been arrested, while Santosh remains at large. Police said the attack took place after Nandani returned home last week for Raksha Bandhan with her colleague Mahendra Pandey, whom she considered her “rakhi brother.”

According to Saurabh Kumar, sub-divisional officer of police, tension had escalated at the Yadav household over the weekend after Nandani brought Pandey home. Her parents and uncle had opposed her decision to work outside Madhya Pradesh, but Nandani, a postgraduate student, had moved to Vijaypura with her mother’s support. On Monday, the two accused began scolding Nandani again for her decisions.

The violence escalated when the accused first assaulted Nandani’s 17-year-old sister, who was planning to go out. Their mother intervened but was overpowered. The sister sustained injuries to her face and neck. Pandey, who was also present, was injured in the attack but managed to escape.

Police said the accused then turned on Nandani, blaming her for bringing “shame” to the family by keeping short hair and working in another state. They allegedly smashed her head against a wall and struck her repeatedly with a stick before strangling her to death. After the murder, Bhagwan and Santosh fled the scene.

Neighbors, alerted by the screams and commotion, informed the police and freed Nandani’s mother and sister from the locked room. An FIR has been registered for murder and voluntarily causing hurt against the accused. Police are continuing their search for Santosh Yadav, while efforts are underway to locate Mahendra Pandey for a statement.

Shivam Singh Rajawat, in-charge of Picchore police station, said villagers had reported long-standing tension within the family. Police are now investigating the circumstances leading to the crime and pursuing all leads.

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