In a shocking revelation surrounding the death of 18-year-old Chandrika Patel, who was scheduled to appear before the Gujarat High Court just two days later in a habeas corpus case filed by her live-in partner, police have declared the incident to be an honour killing.
Her father and uncle have been named as the primary accused.
The investigation stems from a habeas corpus petition filed by Haresh Chaudhary, Chandrika’s live-in partner. According to the FIR, the two met in February when Chandrika requested a ride to Palanpur. Their relationship blossomed, but Chandrika’s family allegedly opposed her wishes to study nursing and instead planned her marriage.
In Gujarat’s social fabric, Patels are considered higher in status than the Chaudharys.
The couple eloped on June 4 and signed a live-in agreement in an Ahmedabad court the next day. They travelled across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, but on June 12, police—accompanied by one of Chandrika’s relatives—traced them to a resort in Rajasthan. Both were brought back to Gujarat: Chandrika was handed over to her family, while Chaudhary was arrested in an old assault case, and later in a separate liquor case.
After being granted bail on June 21, Chaudhary discovered messages from Chandrika on his phone, pleading for help and warning that her family intended to kill her if she refused marriage. On June 23, Chaudhary’s lawyer filed a habeas corpus plea in the Gujarat High Court, which ordered Chandrika to be produced before it on June 27.
But on June 25, Chaudhary was informed that Chandrika had died. He then filed an application seeking a probe into her death.
Police have since uncovered a disturbing cover-up. Initially, Chandrika’s father, Sendha Darga Patel, and uncle, Shivram Darga Patel, told close family members that she had died by suicide. They then informed villagers that her death was due to a heart attack, a fabrication allegedly aimed at securing a death certificate without raising suspicion. Police were never informed.
ASP Suman Nala, who led the investigation beginning August 1, told a section of the press that the inquiry revealed a “three-layered lie” that was difficult to unravel due to the remoteness of Dantiya village, which lacks CCTV surveillance and is located 101 km from Palanpur.
Despite these challenges, police detained seven close family members for questioning. Discrepancies in their accounts led to a breakthrough: Shivram confessed to the murder and implicated Sendha.
Police allege that Chandrika was killed by hanging on the night of June 24 in her family home. Around 1:30 am on June 25, Sendha and Shivram, along with at least four male relatives, allegedly took down her body. While most of the extended family were made to believe it was a suicide, they collectively decided to tell outsiders it was a natural death to avoid scrutiny.
By 4:00 am that day, the entire family had been informed of the false narrative, and Chandrika’s body was cremated within hours. Even her brother, who was studying in Palanpur, was not called home for the funeral. A death certificate was obtained and submitted in court, leading to the habeas corpus plea being disposed of.
Based on Chaudhary’s complaint and the findings of the police, an FIR was filed Wednesday. Sendha and Shivram have been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including section 103 (1) – murder, Section 54 – Abettor present at the time of offence and Section 238 – causing disappearance of evidence.
While Shivram has been arrested, Sendha is currently absconding.
Sources said more arrests are likely in the case.
