Ahmedabad: A 22-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her father and brother in Ahmedabad after a video showing her with a male friend went viral, with police investigating the case as a suspected honour killing.
Death first reported as a road accident
The woman, identified as Sofia Farooq, was initially believed to have died in a hit-and-run incident on August 12. Her brother allegedly told police that an unidentified vehicle had struck their motorcycle near Samruddh Dairy in the Sarkhej area.
Sofia suffered severe head injuries and was taken to GMERS Sola Civil Hospital, where she was declared dead on August 13.
However, investigators found inconsistencies in the accident account. CCTV footage from the area reportedly showed no vehicle collision at the location mentioned in the complaint, prompting police to examine the circumstances surrounding her death more closely.
Police allege attack was planned
According to police, Sofia’s father and brother had earlier reprimanded her over a video showing her interacting with a young man. Investigators allege that the two later took her to an isolated area near Gheljipura and attacked her with an iron hammer.
Police further allege that they subsequently created a false road accident scene and lodged a complaint about an unidentified vehicle to conceal the killing. The post-mortem reportedly attributed her death to brain haemorrhage caused by injuries.
The accused, identified as her 56-year-old father Mohammed Farooq Nawabkhan and 38-year-old brother Habil Farooq, have been detained in connection with the case. Police are continuing their investigation and are seeking to recover the alleged weapon.
The case has once again highlighted the grave consequences of violence committed in the name of family reputation and the need to protect individual rights and dignity.