Inter-caste lovers stoned to death

A couple was stoned to death for their inter-caste love affair in what is perhaps the first ‘honour killing’ in the state.

The bodies of Sunkari Srinivas, 25, who belongs to the Scheduled Castes, and Swapna Reddy, 22, were found on the outskirts of Krishnajiwadi village of Tadwai mandal in Nizamabad district.

The bodies bore injuries caused by stone pelting, the police said. It is likely that the couple died on the spot.

Fearing objections from their community elders, the couple had eloped four months ago. Srinivas and Swapna returned on Wednesday to try and convince the their elders. Their bodies were discovered by locals late in the night who immediately informed the Tadwai police.

The Tadwai police sub-inspector, Mr V. Vijay Kumar, went to the place along with a team as tension began mounting.

Eyewitness alleged that the relatives of Swapna had killed the couple.

Speaking to this newspaper, the superintendent of police, Mr K. Venkatesh-wara Rao, confirmed that the couple had been stoned to death. He said police was investigating the circumstances of the couple’s murder.