A 20 year old pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her own family members in Inam Veerapur village of Dharwad district in Karnataka on Sunday for marrying a Dalit youth, police said.
The woman, Manya Patil, was seven months pregnant and had married Vivekanand Doddamani earlier this year despite strong opposition from her family. The killing has triggered protests in the area.
According to the police, Manya’s father Prakashgouda, along with other relatives, allegedly attacked her with pipes, causing serious head injuries that led to her death. Police have arrested her father and two other family members in connection with the case.
Manya belonged to the Lingayat community, while Vivekanand is from a Dalit community. Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya said the couple had married in May 2025 at the Hubballi rural police station after fearing violence from Manya’s family. She said the police had tried to counsel Manya’s parents, but they continued to oppose the marriage.
Police also said that members of Manya’s family allegedly assaulted Vivekanand’s father, mother and other relatives. Following the killing, Dalit activists staged a sit in protest with Manya’s body, condemning the incident and demanding strict action against those responsible.
