A Gadag district court has sentenced four individuals to death for the honour killing of a young couple, Ramesh Madara (29) and Gangamma Madara (23), in Lakkalakatti village, Gajendragada taluk. The tragic incident occurred on November 6, 2019, after Gangamma’s relatives murdered the couple for marrying against their wishes.
The convicted individuals—Shivappa Rathod, Ravikumara Rathod, Ramesh Rathod, and Parasurama Rathod—were Gangamma’s relatives. The Gajendragada police, who led the investigation, charged them under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- 302 (Murder)
- 449 (House trespass with intent to commit an offence punishable by death)
- 506(2) (Criminal intimidation)
- 427 (Mischief causing damage)
According to the police, the attackers threw stones at the couple’s heads, killing them instantly. Reports confirm that the murder was driven by caste-based hatred, as Gangamma’s family opposed her marriage to Ramesh, a Dalit man.
The couple is survived by their two children, now left orphaned by the horrific crime. This landmark judgment is being seen as a strong message against caste-based violence and honour killings.
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