Neha Kumari, a student from Sadhua village under the Rangra police station area of the Naugachia subdivision, was shot dead near Kataria railway station on Thursday night.
An FIR for murder has been registered against Fauji Sah, a fellow villager, based on the statement of the deceased’s brother, Sonu Kumar.
Her brother alleges that the accused wanted to marry his sister against her will and used to threaten her whenever she resisted. Village councils (*panchayats*) had been convened twice to address this issue.
Sonu stated that his sister, Neha, had completed her graduation from Madan Ahilya College, Naugachia, and was preparing for police recruitment. She used to commute to college for her studies.
During this time, Fauji Kumar (25)—son of Vilas Sah—from the same village would eye her inappropriately and pressure her to marry him. Neha resisted these advances and would complain to her family at home.
Her father had organized village council meetings twice regarding this matter. Despite this, the accused remained adamant about forcibly marrying Neha.
Her father had planned to arrange her marriage with a suitable young man from within their community. A few days prior, her marriage had been fixed with a young man from Kharik; her father had gone to Ludhiana to meet the groom’s family and finalize the date for the pre-wedding engagement ceremony (*cheka*).
Shot While Returning from Relieving Herself
Sonu alleged that on Thursday night, Neha had gone near Kataria railway station to relieve herself. While she was returning, the accused shot her beside the railway tracks, east of the station.
Upon hearing the gunshot, Sonu rushed to the station and saw the accused fleeing. Other villagers also witnessed the accused running away.
People chased him, but he managed to escape towards the west, taking advantage of the darkness. The police are investigating the matter.
