A shocking incident unfolded in a village in the Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, where a 22-year-old woman was discovered hanging from a tree outside her home, her hands bound behind her back. The police have stated that the exact cause of death will only be determined after the post-mortem examination. However, the woman’s family has alleged that she was murdered due to a long-standing land dispute with their adversaries.
According to law enforcement officials, the deceased was preparing for her upcoming wedding, scheduled for next month. She had been alone at home for two days while her parents and younger sister were away in Lucknow for medical treatment.
Superintendent of Police (Ballia) Omvir Singh provided preliminary findings, stating, “There were no visible injury marks on the body. She was found hanging approximately six feet above the ground. A clear picture will emerge once the post-mortem report is available.”
When questioned about the possibility of sexual assault, police officials emphasized that further details would only be confirmed through forensic analysis.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a romantic relationship playing a role in the woman’s death. However, investigators have yet to explain how her hands were tied behind her back.
Police officials revealed that an examination of her call records indicated “lengthy conversations with an individual over the past three days.” Officers have since recorded statements from those she frequently communicated with and are also reviewing her search history from the same timeframe.
A forensic team was deployed to the crime scene, and statements from villagers are being recorded as part of the investigation. The woman, who belonged to the Backward Class, had completed her education up to Class 12, according to police sources.
Upon being informed of the tragic incident, her parents and sister returned home from Lucknow on Sunday evening.
The incident has triggered political outrage, with the opposition Samajwadi Party and the Congress launching fierce attacks on the BJP-led government, accusing it of failing to ensure women’s safety in the state.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Samajwadi Party expressed strong criticism in Hindi: “Daughters are falling victim to the failure of the Adityanath government! Women are being murdered, raped, and exploited every day under the BJP’s rule. Is this the chief minister’s ‘zero tolerance’? The strictest action must be taken against the culprits, and justice should be served.”
The Congress’ Uttar Pradesh unit echoed similar sentiments, stating that such horrifying incidents involving “sisters and daughters” are occurring regularly under the current administration.
As the investigation continues, police officials are working to determine whether the woman’s death was indeed a suicide or a case of foul play, while political tensions continue to mount over the issue of women’s safety in Uttar Pradesh.
