Uttar Pradesh: A 19-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death by her father and two brothers in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district for leaving home at night without informing her family, police said on Sunday.
The incident was reported from Samadkheda village, where the accused allegedly attempted to mislead investigators by creating fake snakebite marks on the victim's body and later cremating her remains in an orchard.
Four people, including the victim's father, two brothers and sister-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the murder following a complaint lodged by the victim's mother, Mithilesh.
According to police, the victim, identified as Shubhi, left her home around midnight on the intervening night of June 3 and June 4 and returned at approximately 4 a.m.
Police said her father, Ramdayal, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time, became enraged over her absence. He, along with her brothers Munesh and Suresh, allegedly assaulted Shubhi and beat her to death.
Investigators said the accused subsequently attempted to conceal the crime by staging the death as a snakebite case. They allegedly used a sewing needle to puncture the victim's skin and create marks resembling snakebite wounds.
According to police, the accused also drew a mark around Shubhi's neck to make it appear as though it had been caused by a noose before setting the body on fire in an orchard.
On Sunday, police arrested Ramdayal, Munesh, Suresh and Munesh's wife, Madhuri, in connection with the killing.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Eastern Zone) Subodh Gautam said the accused used a sewing needle to fabricate the snakebite marks in an attempt to divert suspicion.
The officer added that all four accused confessed to the crime during intensive interrogation.
Police said further investigation into the case is underway.
With PTI inputs