Gujarat teen who scored 478 in NEET allegedly strangled by family over boyfriend and independence

An 18-year-old from Banaskantha in Gujarat, who had cleared NEET, was allegedly murdered by her father and uncle in a suspected “honour killing” after they discovered she was living with her boyfriend, according to the FIR registered by police on the partner’s complaint.

The teenager, Chandrika Chaudhary, had scored 478 marks in her NEET exam, making her eligible for admission to a government medical college. While she wished to continue her studies and live independently, her family of farmers reportedly disapproved.

According to police, Chandrika was allegedly given milk laced with sedatives by her father, Sendha Chaudhary, and then strangled along with her uncle, Shivram, using a dupatta on 25 June. Her body was reportedly hurriedly cremated. Police officials quoted Shivram as telling villagers that Chandrika had suffered a heart attack. While Shivram is in custody, Sendha is still at large.

Murder Occurred Days Before Habeas Corpus Petition

According to Haresh Chaudhary, Chandrika’s partner, Shivram had visited colleges and observed boys and girls studying together. He reportedly told Chandrika’s father that she should not be sent there as she might fall in love with a boy and marry him. Chandrika was allegedly cut off from social media, had her phone confiscated, and was forced to focus solely on household chores.

Chandrika’s murder allegedly took place just days before the Gujarat High Court was scheduled to hear a habeas corpus petition filed by Haresh, which eventually exposed what authorities are calling a “premeditated” killing. The couple had first met in February this year.

Police officials stated that Chandrika’s family declared the cause of death as a heart attack and cremated the body without performing a postmortem.

Haresh told police that Chandrika’s last words before being offered the milk were: “Have milk and rest well. Sleep well.”

According to Haresh, the couple had signed a “live-in agreement” just two weeks before Chandrika was killed. “She wanted to study medicine. We were not harming anyone. We just wanted to live peacefully,” he said.

Inputs from TOI