VADODARA: A post-mortem examination of a 21-year-old woman who was initially reported to have died by suicide revealed that she had been strangled, leading to the arrest of her father in Gujarat's Anand district, police said.
The woman, identified as Saniya, was allegedly killed by her father, Kaushalkumar Patel, at their home in Metpur village of Khambhat taluka around 3:15 am on November 9. He allegedly used a dupatta to strangle her in the kitchen while other family members were asleep, inspector P J Bantva of Khambhat Town police station said.
Police said the investigation revealed that Patel had been opposed to Saniya's relationship with a man from their village for about a year. His objections reportedly stemmed from their caste differences and the man's monthly income of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
Patel had again asked his daughter to end the relationship on the night of the incident. When she refused, he allegedly strangled her, Bantva said.
The family initially told authorities that Saniya had died by suicide. However, doctors at the civil hospital found the circumstances suspicious and advised a post-mortem examination. The examination confirmed death by strangulation, prompting further investigation.
Patel confessed to the killing during the investigation and was arrested, the inspector said.
Saniya had graduated in commerce and was pursuing a course, police said.
The accused was produced before a court on Tuesday (November 10). Although police sought his remand for further investigation, the court rejected the plea and sent him to judicial custody.
(with inputs from media organisations)