The Mandya Rural police have arrested two persons on Monday for allegedly murdering 19-year-old Monica over her alleged relationship with her Dalit friend.
The accused have been identified as Monica’s father Mohan Bevooragowda (44), and his relative D. Suresh (35). While Mohan Bevooragowda is a landlord in Thimmana Hosuru, D. Suresh is a practicing advocate in the town.
It is a case of honour killing, Superintendent of Police C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy told presspersons here on Monday. Monica was strangled to death at her house in Thimmana Hosuru in the taluk and burnt at a farmland by her father and his relatives to destroy the evidence, he said.
Monica, belonging to Vokkaliga community, was in love with a Dalit boy in the town. She eloped with him on March 28 and returned on April 1.
Judicial custody
During the investigation, the duo admitted to killing the teenager to “protect the family’s honour”. Following the confession, the police arrested the duo and produced them before a local court. They have now been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.
