In a chilling incident in Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh, an interfaith couple was found murdered and buried after being missing for three days, with police citing a suspected honour killing.
The victims Kajal Saini (aged around 18–19), a Hindu woman and student who also worked as a teacher, and Mohammad Arman/Armaan Chaudhary (aged 24–27), a Muslim man who had recently returned from working abroad were allegedly killed by the woman’s brothers due to opposition to their relationship.
Two brothers have been arrested, with a third still sought, as authorities continue the investigation and post-mortem examinations.
Suspected Honour Killing: Buried Bodies Found
According to police, the couple had been in a committed relationship for nearly two years, despite coming from different religious backgrounds, which reportedly drew strong opposition from Kajal’s family.
On 18 January, Arman is believed to have gone to meet Kajal at her home in Umri Sabzipur village, under the Pakwara police station area, when both were subsequently reported missing. Their disappearance prompted Arman’s father to file a missing person complaint with local police, followed by a similar report from Kajal’s family after she too failed to return home.
Following the missing person reports, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Satpal Antil said investigators began questioning family members and local acquaintances, which led to suspicion falling on Kajal’s brothers. During sustained interrogation, two of her brothers allegedly admitted to killing the couple, claiming to have acted in anger over the interfaith relationship.
The accused reportedly guided police to the burial site a shallow pit near the Neem Karauli Baba temple and the bank of the Gagan river, a few metres from the village outskirts where the decomposed bodies of Arman and Kajal were exhumed in the presence of a magistrate.
Police said the victims appeared to have been tied up and attacked with a spade or similar implement before being buried to conceal the crime. The spade allegedly used in the murders was also reportedly recovered from the scene. A murder FIR has been registered against the three brothers under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Two brothers Satish and Rinku Saini have been taken into custody, while efforts continue to locate the third, Rajaram Saini.
District police have deployed additional forces and personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) to maintain peace in the area, given the sensitive nature of the case and the potential for communal tension. Authorities stated the situation is “under control” but are monitoring the village closely as the investigation unfolds.
Background, Police Response and Community Impact
The discovery of the couple’s bodies has sent shockwaves through both the local community and broader public discourse, reigniting debates about honour killings in India violent acts carried out by family members who believe a relative has brought “dishonour” upon them by defying social norms, often related to caste, religion or choice of partner.
In this case, the interfaith nature of the relationship appears to be a central factor, with police and local reports emphasising that the couple’s religious backgrounds Hindu and Muslim were vehemently opposed by the woman’s family.
Arman’s family told news outlets that he had spent several years working in Saudi Arabia before returning to his village only months ago, where he rekindled his relationship with Kajal.
They said they had repeatedly visited the local police station to report him missing and express concerns for his safety, but no decisive action was taken until the involvement of senior police officials. The delay, the family alleges, allowed the accused time to conceal evidence before authorities unearthed the bodies.
Local residents have expressed shock and grief at the brutality of the crime, with many condemning the manner in which two young lives were cut short. Community leaders, activists and human rights organisations have also taken note, urging authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
Legal experts highlight that honour killings are punishable offences under Indian law, with state and central governments having reiterated their commitment to preventing such crimes.
The case has also sparked broader discussions across social media and civil society platforms about the need for stronger protection of individual rights particularly the rights of young adults to choose their partners without fear of violence.
Users on online forums criticised the alleged perpetrators for allowing misguided notions of “honour” to justify murder, while others called for systemic reforms in policing and social attitudes to prevent future tragedies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This harrowing incident in Moradabad is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted social biases and harmful constructs that continue to endanger lives under the guise of “honour” and tradition. Violence against individuals for exercising their fundamental freedoms particularly the freedom to love, live and choose a partner betrays the very principles of dignity, equality and coexistence that form the bedrock of a pluralistic society.
The Logical Indian believes that honour killings represent a profound failure of community, family and state institutions to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law. Such crimes not only rob families of their loved ones but also inflict lasting trauma on entire communities, perpetuating fear, mistrust and division. It is imperative that legal systems act swiftly and sensitively to prosecute offenders, while educational and social initiatives must work at the grassroots to challenge prejudices that condone violence in the name of honour.
