A five-month pregnant woman was allegedly beaten to death by her neighbours during a dispute over bringing an auto-rickshaw into a narrow lane in the Pandeypur–Lalpur police station area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The incident has sparked public outrage and led to the arrest of four accuse
Dispute escalated into brutal assault
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Sanoli Patel (35), wife of Dashmi Patel, who works as a follower at government officials’ residences. The family resides on Hukulganj–Khajuri Road under the jurisdiction of the Pandeypur–Lalpur police station.
Police said that on Sunday, Sanoli, who was five months pregnant, developed health complications. As she was unable to walk to the main road where an auto-rickshaw was parked, her husband attempted to bring the vehicle closer to their doorstep through a narrow lane.
This reportedly angered local traders and neighbours, who objected to the auto entering the street. The argument soon turned violent, and Dashmi Patel was allegedly assaulted by several people.
Alleged attack on pregnant woman
Seeing her husband being beaten, Sanoli intervened to protect him. According to a complaint filed by her family, she was brutally assaulted during the scuffle. Her mother-in-law alleged that the attackers kicked Sanoli in the abdomen, causing severe internal injuries and heavy bleeding.
The family further alleged that the accused prevented Dashmi Patel from immediately taking his wife to a hospital, delaying medical treatment for several hours.
Sanoli was eventually rushed to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
Police action and arrests
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cantonment) Nitin Taneja said that based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family, police arrested four accused persons in connection with the incident.
“A case has been registered, and all necessary legal action is being taken. Further investigation is underway,” he said.
The body was sent for post-mortem examination, and police said the final cause of death would be confirmed after the report is received.
Protest and road blockade
Following Sanoli’s death, angry family members and local residents staged a protest on Monday evening by placing her body on the road, demanding immediate arrests. Traffic on the busy stretch remained disrupted for several hours.
The protest was called off after police assured swift action and the arrest of the accused, following which the family agreed to hand over the body for post-mortem.
The incident has raised serious concerns about neighbourhood violence and the safety of women, especially pregnant women, during local disputes.