In Maharashtra’s Nanded district, a tragic honour killing unfolded on November 27, 2025, when 20-year-old Saksham Tate was allegedly shot and bludgeoned to death by the family of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Aanchal Mamidwar, due to their inter-caste relationship, her upper-caste Hindu family opposing his caste background.
The confrontation erupted in the Juna Ganj (Old Ganj) area around evening, where Saksham stood with friends; Aanchal’s brother Himesh Mamidwar, once his close friend, fired a shot piercing Saksham’s ribs, then smashed a stone tile or slab on his head, causing instant death.
Police swiftly arrested seven individuals, including father Gajanan (or Ganesh) Mamidwar (45), brothers Himesh (25) and Sahil (25), mother, and others; a minor was remanded to a correctional home, while two remain absconding. Charges include murder, unlawful assembly, rioting under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Arms Act.
Symbolic Act of Defiance and Grief
At Saksham’s funeral rites held at his residence, a grief-stricken Aanchal performed a symbolic Hindu wedding ritual, applying turmeric and vermilion to his body, customary symbols of marital union, declaring, “They killed him brutally, but they lost. My lover won, even in death,” and “Even after his death, I will remain his.” She publicly severed ties with her family, vowed to live as his “widow” with Saksham’s mother, and demanded capital punishment, stating, “I want justice. I want the accused to be hanged.”
Videos of her emotional outburst and rituals went viral on social media, amplifying her plea and drawing widespread attention to the caste-motivated violence. The couple had been in love for three years and planned marriage within a month, despite her family’s repeated threats and offers of alternative matches.
Police Probe and Criminal Backdrop
Nanded Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar confirmed that all involved parties had extensive criminal histories: Saksham faced 8-10 cases, including prior clashes with Himesh, and both had externment orders against them.
Saksham’s mother lodged the FIR, highlighting ignored prior threats from Aanchal’s family after his release from jail one-and-a-half months earlier. Extra police forces were deployed to prevent community tensions, with the accused remanded to three days’ custody as investigations probe conspiracy, weapons, and motives.
As of December 1, 2025, no further arrests or major developments have been reported, but authorities continue recording statements amid heightened vigilance.
Roots in Persistent Caste Prejudice
This incident underscores deep-rooted caste divisions in India, where inter-caste unions often provoke familial hostility, escalating to violence despite legal protections like the SC/ST Act. Aanchal’s family opposed the relationship solely on caste lines, ignoring the couple’s commitment and prior friendships between Saksham and Himesh.
It mirrors numerous honour killings nationwide, where “honour” trumps personal choice, often intertwined with local criminal elements, highlighting failures in social awareness and enforcement. Local activists have called for better safeguards, education campaigns, and swift justice to deter such tragedies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heart-wrenching case exposes the destructive grip of caste prejudice, demanding society’s collective rejection through empathy, open dialogue, kindness, and robust legal interventions to safeguard love across divides.
True harmony flourishes when families prioritise coexistence over violence, fostering education that dismantles biases and empowers individual rights. Honour killings erode human dignity, only through positive change can we build inclusive communities.
