Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
In a chilling act of violence, a 20-year-old woman in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was shot dead by her own father just days before her wedding. The victim, Tanu Gurjar, had openly defied her family’s wishes by expressing her desire to marry a man of her choice, leading to her brutal murder in front of police officers and a community panchayat.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening around 9 PM in the Gola Ka Mandir area of Gwalior. Tanu’s father, Mahesh Gurjar, enraged by a video she posted on social media earlier that day, shot her at point-blank range using a country-made firearm. Her cousin, Rahul, allegedly fired additional shots to ensure her death, turning the horrific event into a public execution.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
Hours before her murder, Tanu posted a 52-second video on social media, accusing her family of coercing her into an arranged marriage and issuing threats against her life. In the video, she declared her love for Bhikam “Vicky” Mawai, a resident of Agra with whom she had been in a relationship for six years. “I want to marry Vicky. My family initially agreed but later refused. They beat me daily and threaten to kill me. If something happens to me, my family will be responsible,” she said.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
The video sparked widespread attention, prompting police intervention. Superintendent Dharmveer Singh and his team rushed to Tanu’s home, where a panchayat meeting was underway in an attempt to mediate the family dispute. Despite the efforts of the police and community elders, tensions ran high.
During the meeting, Tanu expressed her unwillingness to stay at home, fearing for her safety. She requested to be taken to a government-run One-Stop Centre, a shelter for women facing violence. However, her father insisted on speaking to her privately, promising to resolve the matter peacefully.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
The situation escalated tragically when Mahesh, under the pretense of reconciliation, pulled out a firearm and shot his daughter in the chest. Simultaneously, Rahul fired multiple shots, striking Tanu’s forehead, neck, and face. She collapsed and died on the spot.
As panic erupted, Mahesh and Rahul threatened the police and family members with further violence. Mahesh was eventually subdued and arrested, and the weapon used in the murder was seized. Rahul, however, fled the scene with his pistol and is currently on the run.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
The murder comes as a devastating blow to Tanu’s family, who had been preparing for her wedding scheduled for January 18. Her death highlights the deep-rooted issues of honor-based violence and the dangers women face when they challenge patriarchal norms.
Father shoots daughter 4 days before wedding
The police are actively searching for Rahul and reviewing Tanu’s social media accounts for additional evidence. Mahesh has been taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing. Tanu’s tragic story has ignited outrage and calls for stronger protection for women in similar circumstances.
