45-year-old uncle elopes with minor niece in Khandwa:Both consume poison; girl dies, body found with sindoor and mangalsutra

A 15-year-old minor girl in Khandwa died after consuming poison with her uncle (her paternal aunt’s husband), who had allegedly eloped with her from home. After the family learned about their whereabouts, they contacted the uncle and asked him to bring the girl back. While returning home, both consumed poison on the way. They were admitted to the district hospital, where the girl died during treatment, while the uncle remains in critical condition. Meanwhile, during the postmortem, sindoor (vermilion) was found in the girl’s hair parting and a mangalsutra around her neck. This indicated that the 45-year-old uncle had allegedly married the minor girl. The age gap between the two is also evident from the fact that the uncle’s own children are already married. The entire sequence of events in 4 pictures… Uncle believed the girl was an adult Preliminary investigation revealed that on June 19, the uncle took the girl away to his village. On June 20, discussions were held with his in-laws. The uncle reportedly believed the girl was an adult and around 20 years old. Later, his in-laws informed him that she was actually a minor, aged only 15 years and 8 months. According to the investigation, the uncle became frightened after learning her real age. He feared that a police complaint would be filed against him and that he could face legal action. As a result, he allegedly decided to end his life along with the girl. On Sunday, while returning from the village to his in-laws’ place, he stopped his motorcycle near Diwal village before Pandhana and consumed poison along with the minor girl. Referred from Pandhana hospital to Khandwa Passersby informed an ambulance service, and both were taken to the Civil Hospital in Pandhana. Doctors later referred them to Khandwa District Hospital. The girl died during treatment, while the uncle remains in serious condition. A case will be registered against the uncle based on the postmortem findings. The girl’s family has accused him of murdering their daughter. Pandhana police station in-charge Dilip Devda said that no official information has been received yet. Further action will be taken once the hospital outpost forwards the case diary.