Brothers-in-law of Ahmednagar ‘hate crime’ victim detained

PUNE: The Maharashtra police have detained two brothers-inlaw of a 19-year-old woman, who was burnt to death at Nighoj in Ahmednagar district on May 1.

Rukmini’s husband, Mangesh Ransing, 23, who suffered 50% burns and is undergoing treatment at a Pune hospital, is now a suspect in his wife’s murder.

The police had on May 1 formed a special team to arrest Rukmini’s father, who was accused of killing his pregnant daughter and grievously injuring his son-in-law by setting them on fire. He was said to have been upset over their inter-caste marriage.

Assistant superintendent of police Maneesh Kalvaniya, who is the investigating officer in the case, on Monday said Mahesh and Vikrant have been detained for questioning.

Mangesh’s sister, Priya, said the two were taken a few days ago. “They [police] took all our phones, even mine.”

Priya said she visited Rukmini at her parents’ house a day before the murder. “But they did not allow me to speak to her. Her family members abused me and pushed me out of the house. So the next day he [Mangesh] went there.”

Mangesh is unaware of his wife’s death. The initial complaint in the matter was lodged on the basis of Rukmini’s dying declaration and Mangesh’s statement.

Rukmini had said that her family members set her ablaze for marrying a man from another caste.

“We have 4-5 witnesses who have testified. This is not a case of honour killing.

These witnesses have recorded their statements and there is circumstantial and technical evidence in the case,” said Kalvaniya.

Two of Rukmini’s uncles, Surendra Bhartiya and Ghanshyam Saroj, were arrested in the case.