17-year-old Morena girl killed by family over love affair:Father shoots her, mother cleans blood-stained floor while friends, relatives help dispose of body; FIR against 23

In Morena, a 17-year-old girl named Divya was shot dead by her father, Bharat Sikarwar, after he discovered she was in a love affair. Her mother Gudia and younger brother also supported the crime. Friends, neighbours, and relatives helped dispose of the body and destroy evidence. Police have registered a case against 11 named and 12 unknown individuals. Bharat and Gudia have been arrested, while the search for the remaining accused continues. Victim’s background Divya was a 12th-grade student. She was in a relationship with a boy from another community. When her father found out, he tried to reason with her. She continued to meet the boy, prompting Bharat to murder her in the name of family honour. On September 22, Divya and her lover were seen riding a scooter together, and her father had beaten her earlier. Murder and initial cover-up On the evening of September 23, around 7:30 PM, during an aarti at home, Bharat argued with Divya and shot her in a fit of rage. Her mother and younger brother came into the room and helped plan how to dispose of the body. Bharat called neighbour Deepak Sikarwar and claimed Divya had fallen due to a fan. Deepak brought his Tata Nexon car, and they left for the district hospital. While travelling, Bharat told Deepak that Divya had died and ordered him to drive to the village instead of the hospital. Deepak objected, but Bharat ignored him. They then arranged for a Tata Magic vehicle to transport Divya’s body. Body disposed in Kwari river Divya’s body was taken to Bhagwan Singh Pura village in Galetha Panchayat. Bharat, Gudia, the minor brother, Cheema Rathore alias Mama, and paternal uncle Yaduveer reached the village around 10:30 PM. Local villagers – Ghansu Sikarwar, Sunil Sikarwar, Sonu, and Gudda Baghel – were waiting. Gudda Baghel transported the body to the Kwari river on his tractor. Large stones were tied to the body and it was thrown into the river. Case came to light The murder came to light on September 27 after an unknown neighbour called the police. Civil Line police acted immediately and took Bharat into custody. During interrogation, Bharat confessed. Police began searching for Divya’s body in the Kwari river that same day. Body recovered after 18 hours On September 28 at 11 AM, Divya’s body was found at the spot indicated by Bharat. The SCRF conducted an 18-hour rescue operation. FSL experts examined the body and concluded it was a gunshot murder. A post-mortem was conducted at Gwalior Medical College, confirming Divya was killed. Parents confess After post-mortem results on September 30, Bharat and Gudia were interrogated separately. Both confessed to the murder and revealed the roles of others who helped in disposing of the body and destroying evidence. 23 people accused Police registered an FIR against 11 named and 12 unknown individuals. Accused include neighbours, relatives, and villagers who helped transport the body and erase evidence. Arrests and investigation Bharat and Gudia Sikarwar have been arrested and sent to jail. Police are still searching for the remaining accused. The investigation revealed that Divya was killed because her father disapproved of her relationship. All 23 accused played roles ranging from murder assistance to disposal and evidence tampering.