“I Will Live With His Family Forever”: Woman Who Married Lover’s Body Stirs Outrage in Dishonour Killing

A brutal killing in Maharashtra's Nanded has led to nationwide outrage after 21-year-old Anchal Mamidwar symbolically married the body of her partner, 20-year-old Saksham Tate, who was allegedly murdered by her own family over their inter caste relationship. Anchal also claimed two policemen encouraged her brothers to attack Saksham.

Accusations Against Family and Police

Anchal said her family pretended to support her decision to marry Saksham. "We were together for three years. We saw a lot of dreams. My brothers had assured me that they would organise our wedding. But they betrayed us at the last moment," she said.

She clarified that she met Saksham on Instagram and not through her brothers. According to her, her family often spent time with him and behaved warmly. "They would be nice to him and eat together. They convinced him that all is well. We had no idea something like this would happen," she said.

Belonging to the Special Backward Class, Anchal said her family described Saksham as a Jai Bhimwala, referring to Dalits who greet each other by saying Jai Bhim. She recalled a conversation where her father demanded Saksham convert. "One day, my father told Saksham that if he wanted to marry me, he would have to come into our religion, Hindu Dharma. Saksham was ready to do everything to marry me. But I do not know what happened," she said.

She also accused two policemen, Dheeraj Komalwar and Maheet Asarwar, of provoking her brothers. She recounted being taken to a police station earlier that day. "Around 11 am on the day Saksham was murdered, my younger brother took me to the police station and asked me to file a false complaint against Saksham. I refused. The cops told my brother, you keep coming here after killing people. Why do you not kill the man your sister is involved with. My brother replied, okay I will kill him by evening and come to you," she said.

How the Attack Unfolded

On Thursday evening, Saksham was out with friends when Anchal's brother Himesh Mamidwar confronted him. The confrontation escalated into violence. Himesh allegedly fired at Saksham, with the bullet hitting him near the ribs. He then reportedly smashed a tile on Saksham's head, killing him on the spot.

Himesh, his brother Sahil, their father Gajanan Mamidwar and three others have since been arrested. They face charges of murder, unlawful assembly and rioting under BNS, along with provisions of the SC ST Act and Arms Act.

The next day, as Saksham's family prepared for his last rites, Anchal arrived and symbolically married the corpse. She told the media, "I was in love with Saksham for the past three years, but my father opposed our relationship over caste differences. My family often threatened to kill Saksham, and now my father and brothers, Himesh and Sahil, have done it. I want justice. I want the accused to be hanged." She confirmed that she would now live with Saksham's family.

"Murdered Over Caste"

Anchal said her family has told her she is no longer welcome in their home. She insisted the killing was driven by caste. "This murder happened due to caste. My father and brothers used to say, we are gangsters and Saksham knows this. How can he dare to speak to our daughter," she said.

She added that Saksham's family had accepted her wholeheartedly. She expressed confidence that justice would prevail. "So many people are with me. People should not be killed over caste," she said.