Delhi Police arrest man for drowning pregnant daughter over "social stigma"

A man has been arrested for allegedly killing his pregnant, unmarried 18-year-old daughter by drowning her in Agra's Chambal river to avoid "social stigma", Delhi Police said on Friday, Aug 7.

Police also arrested a relative of the accused for alleged conspiracy in the crime.

A PCR call was received at Tigri police station in south Delhi on 31 July alleging that a man had killed his daughter. Police registered a case of abduction and murder based on the complaint and launched an investigation.

"During the probe, police found that the teenager had allegedly become pregnant from a relationship outside marriage. Her father, allegedly, feared social disgrace because of the pregnancy," a senior police officer said in a statement.

The officer said the accused and his relative allegedly hatched a conspiracy and took the girl to the bank of the Chambal river near Basoni in Agra, where she drowned.

Investigation revealed the father was driven by fear of social stigma over his daughter's pregnancy outside marriage, the officer said. "Both accused have been arrested and are being interrogated," he said.

Despite extensive search operations with local authorities in Agra, the girl's body has not been recovered so far. Police said search efforts are continuing along the riverbank and adjoining areas.

Further investigation is under way.

(With inputs from PTI)