Sai Teja alleged that his wife was killed by her family as she married against their wishes and reportedly brought bad repute to the family.
Chittoor Police are on the hunt to nab the family members of a 26-year-old woman who was allegedly killed for marrying a person from another faith. Though the family members claimed that their daughter died by ending her life, police are awaiting the post-mortem examination report to ascertain the cause of death and the possibility of honour killing.
The deceased Shaik Yasmin Bhanu hails from Chittoor town and came into contact with Sai Teja of Putalapattu during their college days. Their friendship developed into love and they got married in a temple at Nellore on February 9, 2025. As the family members of Yasmin Bhanu did not approve their marriage, the couple sought protection from police four days after their marriage. Tirupati Rural police called Yasmin Bhanu’s family members and counselled them not to cause any harm to the couple.
On Saturday last (April 12), the family of Yasmin Bhanu called her and informed that her father Shaukat Ali was seriously ill and invited her to visit home. Mr. Sai Teja allowed his wife to visit her paternal home as her father was ill. The next day, Mr. Sai Teja received a call that Yasmin Bhanu fell ill and she was hospitalised. When Mr. Sai Teja reached the hospital at Chittoor, the family members informed him that Yasmin Bhanu ended her life and left the place.
“Based on the complaint of Mr. Sai Teja, we have registered a case under Section 174 (suspicious death) and are investigating. We are awaiting the post-mortem examination report from the doctors to ascertain the exact cause of death,’‘ Chittoor II Town sub-inspector of police K. Suguna told The Hindu on Thursday (April 17, 2025). According to the family members, Yasmin Bhanu ended her life.
Mr. Sai Teja alleged that his wife was killed by her family as she married against their wishes and reportedly brought bad repute to the family.
While Yasmin Bhanu’s mother was in the custody of the police, the remaining family members are on the run. Special teams have been formed to nab the family members for questioning while the vehicle used to transport the body from their house to the hospital was seized.
“Our teams are collecting further evidences in the case. All angles, including honour killing, are being probed,’‘ a senior official said.
Published – April 17, 2025 12:13 pm IST
