A 23-year-old Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death with bricks in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, more than a year after he eloped with and married a woman against her family’s wishes.
Akshay and his 20-year-old wife, Ridhima, had been living in Noida since their marriage. Akshay returned to Muzaffarnagar on Monday and was attacked that evening. He died in hospital on Tuesday.
Police arrested two people on Wednesday in connection with the killing, including Ridhima’s elder brother, Vasu, said Dinesh Baghel, Station House Officer of Khatauli police station.
Police suspect the murder was premeditated and are investigating whether several people were involved in planning the attack.
Police Suspect Akshay’s Movements Were Shared With Attackers
According to police, Akshay, a resident of Biharipur village, returned to Muzaffarnagar on Monday morning.
Later that evening, he left home on his motorcycle with a man identified as Akash, telling his family that he was going to buy medicines. The two stopped at a shop on Jansath Road in the Khatauli area.
Police said three masked men arrived on a motorcycle and confronted Akshay. One of them allegedly struck him with a brick, knocking him to the ground, before the attackers repeatedly hit him on the head with bricks.
Akshay’s family alleged that he was left bleeding heavily as the assailants fled.
Police suspect that Akash, who was with Akshay during the attack, shared information about his movements with the assailants. He is among those detained as investigators examine the circumstances leading up to the killing.
Couple Had Moved to Noida After Marriage
Akshay first met Ridhima while visiting his uncle, who lived in Sarai village, around six kilometres from his home. The two developed a relationship, but their families opposed it, according to the police account.
About a year and a half ago, the couple eloped. Ridhima’s family subsequently filed a kidnapping complaint, police said. The couple later married in court and moved to Noida, where Akshay found work.
A police officer said Ridhima’s family allegedly continued to resent Akshay despite the marriage and the couple’s move away from Muzaffarnagar.
