Pune: In a tragic incident that has shocked Maharashtra’s Nanded district, a young woman symbolically married her deceased boyfriend shortly after her father and brothers were arrested for allegedly murdering him over caste differences.
Police said 21-year-old Aanchal Mamidwar had been in a relationship with 22-year-old Saksham Tate and the two had planned to marry. Her family allegedly opposed the union due to caste. According to police sources, Aanchal’s brother Himesh Mamidwar shot Saksham in the ribs before fatally attacking him with a tile or stone. Her father Gajanan Mamidwar and brother Sahil Mamidwar have also been arrested for their involvement.
As Saksham’s family prepared for his cremation, Aanchal arrived at his home and performed symbolic marriage rituals. In an emotional scene captured in videos circulating online, she applied turmeric to his body and put vermillion on her forehead, declaring herself his wife. She vowed to live with Saksham’s parents as their daughter-in-law. “Our love won, even in Saksham’s death; and my father and brothers lost,” said Aanchal, as quoted by Hindustan Tines.
Aanchal demanded the strictest punishment for her family, calling the killing a deliberate act driven by caste prejudice. According to reports, Aanchal was introduced to the deceased through her brother. Both Saksham and Aanchal’s brothers—as claimed by police in several media reports—were history sheeters.
