A 29-year-old woman, Radhika Lokhande, has been arrested in Maharashtra’s Sangli district for allegedly killing her 50-year-old husband, Anil Lokhande, with an axe just three weeks after their wedding. The tragic incident allegedly took place around 12:30 am on Wednesday at their home in Kupwad tehsil, reportedly after a heated argument over the husband’s insistence on consummating the marriage.
Police have registered a case under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and secured a two-day remand for Radhika to facilitate further investigation. Authorities are probing the circumstances allegedly leading to this shocking act, while the community grapples with the implications of rising marital violence.
Kupwad Tragedy: Details Emerge
The couple’s marriage, solemnised on May 23, was meant to bring companionship to Anil Lokhande, a man who had been living alone after allegedly losing his first wife to cancer. Radhika, a resident of Khatav tehsil in Satara district, had recently moved to Sangli to start her new life.
However, tensions reportedly rose quickly between them. According to Assistant Inspector Deepak Bhandwalkar of the Kupwad MIDC police station, the couple allegedly had a heated argument late Tuesday night. The dispute allegedly escalated when Anil insisted on consummating the marriage, which Radhika resisted.
In the early hours of Wednesday, while Anil was asleep, Radhika allegedly attacked him with an axe, inflicting fatal injuries. After the incident, she reportedly contacted her cousin, confessing to the act, which led to her immediate arrest. The police have since taken her into custody, and the investigation continues to uncover the full story behind this tragic event.
Unclear Motive Amid National Attention
While the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, initial reports suggest that the conflict allegedly arose from marital discord and possible coercion. This case has attracted considerable attention as it allegedly echoes a recent high-profile incident in Indore, where a businessman was allegedly murdered by his wife during their honeymoon.
These disturbing events have reignited national conversations about marital violence, gender dynamics, and the urgent need for effective intervention mechanisms.
According to the National Family Health Survey, approximately one in three women in India have experienced intimate partner violence, highlighting the widespread nature of this social issue. Experts emphasise the importance of counselling, legal awareness, and community support to prevent such tragedies and protect vulnerable individuals in marital relationships.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that violence—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—has no place in any relationship. Marriage should be a bond of trust, respect, and mutual understanding. This heartbreaking incident in Sangli allegedly underscores the critical need for open communication, empathy, and accessible support systems for couples facing difficulties.
It also calls for greater awareness about the pressures and expectations surrounding marriage, especially in cases involving significant age differences or remarriage.
We urge society to foster environments where individuals feel safe to express concerns and seek help without fear or stigma. How can communities, families, and institutions collaborate to create such supportive spaces and prevent violence within marriages?
