Man kills 28-year-old wife over her ‘dark complexion’ in Karnataka

 Khurshid added that Patel and his family members also tortured the victim by demanding more dowry, accusing her of not matching their status.

Image used for representational purpose only. 

KALABURAGI: In a bizarre incident, a man allegedly strangled his wife to death over her ‘dark complexion’ at Kellur village of Jewargi taluk on Wednesday. The deceased Farzana Begum (28) who hailed from Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district.  

Farzana’s cousin Khurshid told TNIE that she married the accused Khaja Patel seven years ago and the couple has two children aged four and two. Khurshid alleged that Patel used to torture Farzana over her skin colour and always taunted her that she can never get the look of a heroine no matter how much powder she applied to her face. Farzana had brought the matter to the notice of her parents.

Khurshid added that Patel and his family members also tortured the victim by demanding more dowry, accusing her of not matching their status.

The incident came to light when a milkman in Kellur informed Khurshid over phone about Farzana’s death. He along with Farzana’s parents rushed to Kellur and found the two children next to the body. 

Accused, family on the run

The family lodged a complaint against Khaja Patel at Jewargi Police Station. The accused and his family members are absconding. The final rites of the victim were conducted at Shahapur after the postmortem at a Kalaburagi hospital. Khurshid said that Farzana’s family have brought her two children along with them to Shahapur.

Kalaburagi Rural DySP Umesh Chikmath said a dowry death case has been registered and the police are waiting for the postmortem report. He added that the police are on the lookout for the accused. 

Meanwhile, state unit vice-president of Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane (JMS) Neela K told TNIE that JMS will send a team to Kellur to find out the reasons behind Farzana’s death.

“Even if the deceased has committed suicide and the torture allegations are true, the death will be considered a murder,” she said. She demanded that the Women’s Rights Commission should register a suo-moto case and hold an inquiry into the incident.