In a shocking incident, a man from Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district shot his 20-year-old daughter dead in front of police officials and the panchayat after she expressed her desire to marry her boyfriend, defying her family’s wishes. The incident took place just four days before her arranged marriage, which the victim, Tanu Gurjar, had strongly opposed.

According to reports, Tanu had posted a video on social media earlier that day, detailing her ordeal and naming her father and other family members as responsible for her plight. In the 52-second clip, Tanu accused her family of forcing her into a marriage against her will and physically assaulting her.

“I want to marry Vicky. My family initially agreed but later changed their minds. They beat me every day and threaten to kill me. If anything happens to me, my family will be to blame,” Tanu said in the video.

The father, Mahesh Gurjar, reportedly became enraged after learning about the video and decided to take matters into his own hands. In a public setting involving police officials and local panchayat members, Mahesh shot Tanu at close range, killing her instantly. Sources claim that Tanu’s cousin, Rahul Gurjar, allegedly acted as an accomplice in the murder.

Tanu had been in a six-year relationship with Bhikam “Vicky” Mawai, a man from Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Despite initially agreeing to the match, her family later changed their stance and arranged a different marriage for her. This decision led to tensions within the family, culminating in the tragic murder.

The police have launched an investigation into the case, with both Mahesh Gurjar and Rahul Gurjar facing charges of murder. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the prevalence of honor killings in the region.

Local activists have condemned the killing, calling for stricter measures to prevent such crimes and ensure that individuals, especially women, have the freedom to choose their life partners without fear of violence.

“This is a brutal example of how deep-rooted patriarchy and regressive mindsets continue to endanger women’s lives. Authorities must take swift action to ensure justice for Tanu and send a strong message against such heinous acts,” said a women’s rights advocate.