Chandrika Chaudhary, a 19-year-old aspiring medical student from Banaskantha district in Gujarat, was allegedly murdered by her father, uncle, and other relatives in June 2025.
The family reportedly sedated her with milk laced with 50 crushed alprazolam tablets, strangled her with a dupatta, and staged the death as a suicide to safeguard “family honour.”
The killing followed her involvement in a live-in relationship and her dreams of pursuing medical education, both vehemently opposed by her family.
Police have arrested key family members and two chemists who allegedly supplied sedatives, while Chandrika’s father remains absconding. The case came to light after her live-in partner, Haresh Chaudhary, filed a habeas corpus petition, leading to investigations exposing the brutal crime.
The Deadly Clash Between Tradition and Aspiration
Chandrika, a bright NEET-qualified student, had worked hard to score 478 marks, becoming eligible for admission to a government medical college. She dreamed of becoming a doctor or nurse, ambitions fiercely resisted by her family who feared the “dishonour” her independence and relationship with Haresh might bring.
Chandrika’s uncle, Shivram Patel, reportedly opposed her education because he feared she might form relationships with boys at college. Consequently, Chandrika’s phone was confiscated, social media access curtailed, and she was made to focus solely on household chores.
In early June 2025, Chandrika eloped with Haresh to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Police tracked them down and returned Chandrika home after a missing complaint was filed, but this only escalated tensions.
On June 21, Chandrika sent a chilling Instagram message to Haresh pleading, “Come and get me; otherwise, my family will force me into marriage or kill me.” Soon after, police investigators state her family sought help from two local chemists, who advised giving her sedatives.
On the night of June 24, Chandrika was given milk mixed with 50 alprazolam tablets, rendering her unconscious. Her uncle and father then strangled her with a dupatta and staged the scene to resemble a suicide. The family cremated her body hastily without consulting a doctor or informing close relatives.
They appeared to attempt to cover the crime by spreading conflicting stories-some villagers were told Chandrika died of a heart attack, others that she committed suicide.
Investigation Uncovers Premeditation and Complicity
The case was unearthed following a habeas corpus petition filed by Haresh Chaudhary with the Gujarat High Court when Chandrika disappeared. After being released on bail, Haresh was alerted to her death and filed a police complaint, prompting an investigation led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Suman Nala.
Police found suspicious elements around Chandrika’s death, including the absence of medical examination, conflicting family statements, and the rushed cremation with no close family members informed.
Technical analysis and careful inquiry revealed the vicious murder plot, arresting Chandrika’s uncle Shivram, cousin Naran Patel, and others involved. However, Chandrika’s father, accused of orchestrating the killing, remains at large. Two local chemists have also been detained for their role in supplying and advising on the sedatives used to incapacitate Chandrika.
The investigation highlighted rampant patriarchal control and the extent to which some families go to preserve traditional notions of “honour” at the cost of young women’s lives and dignity.
Societal Roots and the Continuing Tragedy of Honour Killings
Chandrika’s murder is a tragic illustration of the persistent shadow of honour killings in India, particularly in rural areas, where women’s autonomy in relationships and education often meets with violent opposition.
The National Crime Records Bureau registers dozens of honour killings annually, reflecting how entrenched gender norms and family pressures continue to endanger women who seek paths beyond prescribed roles.
Experts and activists argue that Chandrika’s case underscores a broader societal failure to protect young women from coercion, abuse, and lethal violence disguised under misguided perceptions of family honour.
Legal safeguards exist, but enforcement, social awareness, and community attitudes remain inadequate. Gender rights groups are calling for enhanced psychological counselling services, community policing reforms, and educational initiatives to dismantle harmful patriarchal mindsets.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The murder of Chandrika Chaudhary is a heartbreaking example of how archaic notions of honour can brutally suppress individual rights and aspirations.
The Logical Indian firmly condemns this honour killing and stresses that love, education, and personal choice should never be grounds for violence or familial rejection. True honour lies in respecting each person’s dignity, freedom, and dreams.
Families and communities must embrace dialogue, empathy, and understanding to reconcile traditional values with contemporary aspirations.
Law enforcement agencies, educators, and civil society must collaborate to prevent honour-based violence and protect vulnerable individuals.
