Dwarka 'Honour Killing' Case: 'I Was Angry But Never Thought Of Killing Them,' Says Victim's Father

Police suspect it to be a case of honour killing as the couple had eloped to marry last year against the wishes of their families. In August 2020, the couple approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking police protection.

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New Delhi: In a suspected case of honour killing, a couple was shot at in Dwarka's Ambarhai village on Thursday leading to the death of 23-year-old Vinay Dahiya while his wife had to be taken to a hospital.

While police are probing the case from the honour killing angle, Vinay's father Om Prakash said: "I was angry with this marriage but never thought of killing them".

 The 55-year-old who works as a postman at Gopalpur village in Sonipat district of Haryana said he received information about the incident at 10.30 pm.

"Ravi, who runs a shop in the area from where Vinay used to buy grocery, called to inform me about the incident. Vinay and Kiran went to visit a doctor on Thursday as the latter was having some complications regarding pregnancy," Om Prakash said.

"We heard Kiran saying that her cousin Vicky shot her first and then Vinay. According to Kiran, her brother Aman along with other people were also present at the spot and involved in the shooting. They committed the crime and later fled the spot," he added.

For the uninitiated, Vinay Dahiya hailing from Haryana's Sonipat and his wife Kiran Dahiya were shot at by six to seven people inside their rented accommodation in Amberhai village. Vinay Dahiya sustained four bullet injuries which led to his death, while Kiran Dahiya was shot five times and is undergoing treatment at the Venkateshewar Hospital, the Delhi police informed.

Both victims were rushed to hospital, however, Vinay was declared brought dead. 

Police suspect it to be a case of honour killing as the couple had eloped to marry last year against the wishes of their families. In August 2020, the couple approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking police protection. The court had passed directions to Sonipat police for the safety of the couple, Delhi police informed.

'Kiran's family has done it': Vinay Dahiya's father

"The couple got married on August 13 last year in Chandigarh and later moved to the national capital. I was not happy with their marriage. They both belong to same village and same caste. Around 20 days after their marriage, there was a call of Panchayat where the sarpanch asked us to let it be and said nobody will communicate or be in touch with the couple as they married against the wishes of their families and the village. I supported the decision of the panchayat and said I will stand by it," Vinay's father Om Prakash said as quoted by PTI.

"I had no contact with them after their marriage and neither I wanted to. I was angry and did not want them to enter my house or village. I was supporting the decision of the panchayat. After their marriage, Kharkhoda Police approached me and asked whether I was happy or angry after this marriage. I told them that I am angry with Vinay and Kiran's decision and I will not allow them to enter my house. They were free from my side and had liberty to do whatever they wanted to," he added.

He further stressed that he was angry with their decision, but never wanted to kill them "as it is not right. The family of Kiran has done it and now they will suffer the punishment for it. Vinay and Kiran had known each other since school days, but we were not aware of their relationship".

'My family has been threatening us': Kiran Dahiya wrote to police last year

19-year-old Kiran had also sent a letter to the Sonepat Senior Superintendent of Police last year, where she revealed that her family strongly opposed their “love marriage”, The Indian Express reported.

“My family is opposed to this relation. On getting a chance, I ran away from the house of my free will and got married as per Hindu rites and ceremonies on 13.08.2020. We are living as husband and wife out of our free will. However, my family has been threatening us and may also lodge false complaints against us,” read the letter as quoted by IE.

“Kindly protect me, my husband Vinay and his family, so that my family members cannot cause any damage to us,” she had pleaded.

Delhi Police on Friday questioned the father and uncle of Kiran Dahiya. They revealed that the two were interrogated in connection with the incident but not arrested.

(With Agency Inputs)