Uttar Pradesh: Father shoots teen in head for refusing arranged marriage

New Delhi: In a shocking incident reported from Uttar Pradesh, a 48-year-old man allegedly shot at his 19-year-old daughter after she refused to marry the man of his choice. According to the police, the girl was shot in the head by her own father, after she insisted on marrying the person she loved. She was asleep when the attack happened, they added.

The incident happened on Monday in the Bhongaon town of Mainpuri district, reported NDTV. The teenager was identified as Shazia. She reportedly sustained critical injuries in the incident, but survived.

The woman was taken to the district hospital, from where she was referred to the Saifai Medical College. She is currently undergoing treatment, said the police personnel.

PTI quoted the Superintendent of Police (City), Arun Kumar Singh as saying that he visited the home of the girl and questioned other family members and neighbours. He said that he wanted to understand under what circumstances the shooting took place.

According to the SP, Shazia was in a relationship with a man and wanted to marry him. However, her father, identified as Asin Khan, fixed her marriage with another man, for November 19. When she refused and questioned his decision, Khan shot his daughter in the head, while she was asleep, added the official.

Singh said that after hearing the gunshot, Shazia’s mother, Kherunisha rushed to the room. She was the one who took her injured daughter to the district hospital, from where she was referred to the Saifai Medical College.

The police said that it was Kherunisha who ultimately lodged the police complaint against her husband. She accused him of attempting to kill their daughter.

According to Singh, the accused was on way to the Bhongaon police station, when he was arrested.