In a shocking revelation following the discovery of human skeletal remains and various items beneath a tree in a field within the jurisdiction of Shirwal police station in Khandala, dist Satara, authorities have unveiled a distressing case of honour killing.
"The victim, identified as 19-year-old Manisha Kumari Jimdar Mahto, a migrant girl from Manjhi Miyapatti, Bihar, who resided in Shirwal, fell prey to this crime allegedly orchestrated by her brother, 24-year-old Shankar Jimdar Mahto, residing in Palshi, Khandala," an official from Shirwal Police station informed.
The remains were found on December 16 in Guthale, Khandala, where human bones and personal items, including ladies' sandals, clothing bags, and a uniform from a private company, were discovered.
Family's reputation cited as reason
Further investigation by the Shirwal police unveiled the sinister details of the honour killing, revealing that Manisha Kumari was strangled to death with a scarf due to opposition to her romantic involvement with a young man from Bihar. The family's reputation in the village was cited as the reason behind this brutal act.
Shankar Jimdar Mahto has been arrested in connection with this case and was presented before the Shirwal court, which remanded him to police custody on Wednesday. The dedicated investigation team of Shirwal police has been diligently probing the incident, relying on confidential information and technical analysis over the past 10 days.
Strangled with her own dupatta
"A deceased girl and her four siblings, including the accused brother, have resided in Shirwal for the past two years. The accused, employed as a JCB machine operator, and the sisters, who worked as labourers in a local company, belonged to a tribal family," official further said.
"The deceased girl was involved in a two-year-long relationship with a boy from their Bihar village, disapproved by the accused brother. Consequently, he devised a plan to murder her. Leading her to a remote rural area after she left her office, he strangled her with her dupatta. To conceal the body, it was left in a location where the discovery was unlikely, resulting in decomposition and skeletal remains," said the official.
"When passersby in the fields noticed the human remains, they alerted the Shirwal police. The police, upon registering a case of sudden death, initiated an investigation. The deceased girl's identification was established through items found in her bag, including the company's dress uniform. Further inquiry into the company confirmed the victim's identity. Interrogation of her three sisters was conducted, and details surrounding the incident were revealed," he added.
