‘Honour’ killing: Parents not allowed to attend daughter’s last rites

17-year-old Priva Reddy, who was allegedly killed by father for having a relationship with a boy from Bovi (Scheduled Caste) community.

The last rites of 17-year-old Priya Reddy was conducted on Monday evening. Priya was allegedly killed by her father Byra Reddy on Sunday night at Tamatampalli in Srinivaspur taluk of Kolar district for being in love with a boy from a “lower” caste.

Priya’s body, sources said, was buried at Tamatampalli. The last rites were performed by her relatives.

It is said that her father Byra Reddy, mother Padmamma and their minor son expressed their wish to attend last rites. However, the police, taking into the account the gravity of the crime, denied permission to them.

H.N. Chandrappa, Srinivasapur circle inspector, said that Priya’s brother, who allegedly helped their father kill her, will be sent to the juvenile home at Kolar Gold Fields.

Meanwhile, police sources told The Hindu that they were yet to approach 20-year-old Harish, Priya’s friend. “Though he is a major, we believe that summoning him might cause him further mental strain,” they said.

Condemned

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State committee of the All India Mahila Samskruthika Sanghatane has condemned the “heinous murder”. In a press release, the organisation has sought stringent punishment as per law to be initiated against Priya’s parents. The organisation has stated that with the number of “honour” killings increasing in the state, the need of the hour was for the government to initiate immediate measures to prevent such incidents.