Telangana: Lost husband to 'honor-killing', Amrutha talks about raising child
What's the story
"I am 21, he was 24. We haven't really experienced anything except unflinching love for one other," Amrutha, whose husband was killed by her own father, said. Pranay Kumar's murder on September 14, by hitman hired by his father-in-law for Rs. 1 crore, has sparked outrage and shed light on the menace of 'honor killing'. Amrutha's words are all the more heartbreaking.
Determination
Amrutha wants to raise child in society without caste barriers
Five months pregnant Amrutha said she and Pranay (whose Dalit identity got him murdered) spoke about raising a child in a society which doesn't have caste barriers. "I will fight for that kind of a society on behalf of Pranay. Pranay's gift to me is growing inside me," she said. She added she was more determined to raise her child as per Pranay's dream.
The couple
We exchanged vows on WhatsApp, tells Amrutha
About their relationship, Amrutha said they were inseparable. "We exchanged our vows on WhatsApp while I was in one room and Pranay was in the other, two days before our reception," she said. The couple, who got married in January, had a reception in August. Amrutha's father Maruti Rao called this function the 'last straw'.
Details
Pranay's father wanted them to break-up but couldn't
Amrutha's father-in-law P Balaswami is worried about her health. He said, "Her blood pressure is high and the doctor has advised complete bed rest for the safety of her and the baby." Balaswami said he anticipated trouble for Pranay and wanted to break them up. "But their love was so strong, and they were so committed to each other that I couldn't do anything," he said.
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Want death penalty for father, uncle, says Amrutha
"My father and uncle who conspired and planned Pranay's murder should receive the death penalty as soon as possible," Amrutha said. Pranay was murdered just as the couple left a hospital after a pre-natal check-up. Seeking justice for Pranay, Amrutha has started a Facebook page.
Arrests
Rao told police he was concerned about his 'prestige'
Rao, who is an influential real estate developer, was upset with his lone daughter marrying a Dalit. Nalgonda SP, AV Ranganath, said he was obsessed with bringing his daughter home and thought killing Pranay would help his plan. During interrogation, he said he was more concerned about his 'prestige' than Amrutha's happiness. Along with Rao, police have arrested six others, including the assailant.