Kushinagar/Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: In a shocking development from Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, police on Wednesday cracked the case of a brutal double murder that occurred on July 2 in the Tamkuhi Raj area. The incident involved the killing of a teenage girl and her 19-year-old lover by the girl’s own family members, who were opposed to their relationship. Five individuals, including two juveniles, have been apprehended in connection with the case.
According to the police, the bodies of 15-year-old Aanshu Kushwaha and 19-year-old Rahul Nishad were found hanging in an orchard in Parasoun village. Initial suspicion suggested suicide, but detailed investigation revealed the killings were premeditated.
To investigate the incident, multiple police teams were formed under the supervision of the Circle Officer of Tamkuhi Raj. A joint operation conducted by the local police and the SWAT team led to the arrest of three adult suspects and the detention of two minors.
Revealing the Motive
Additional Superintendent of Police, Nivesh Katiyar, said that during interrogation, the accused admitted to murdering the couple due to their long-standing romantic relationship, which was disapproved by the girl’s family.
The girl’s family had warned Rahul Nishad several times to stay away from Aanshu. When the couple was caught meeting in June, a village panchayat was convened. During the meeting, Sikandar (Aanshu’s cousin) had allegedly threatened to kill Rahul.
On the night of July 1, during a wedding function in the village, Sikandar once again spotted the two together. Enraged, Sikandar, along with Ramdev (the girl’s father) and Ramdulari (her sister-in-law), strangled Aanshu to death.
Later that same evening, the group called Rahul to a secluded spot and killed him in the same manner. To cover up the crime and mislead the investigation, the perpetrators tied both bodies with ropes and hung them from a tree in the orchard, staging it as a double suicide.
Justice in Progress
The police have recovered evidence including ropes used in the hanging and mobile phone records establishing communication between the victims and the accused. The three adult suspects are now in judicial custody, while the two juveniles have been sent to a juvenile facility.
Searches are ongoing for any additional conspirators who may have aided in the cover-up.
This case underscores the persistence of honor-based violence in parts of rural India, where family pride is often placed above young love and individual freedom. The Kushinagar police have vowed to ensure justice for the victims and a strong message against such brutal crimes in the name of tradition.
