A gruesome murder in Navara village under the Nepanagar police station limits has shaken the Burhanpur district, after a 35-year-old woman was reportedly killed for refusing to convert to Islam and marry her alleged harasser. The incident has triggered widespread outrage and protests from the local Hindu community.

The victim, Bhagyashree Namdev Dhanuk, was found dead late Friday night after being attacked inside her home. According to police reports, the accused, 42-year-old Sheikh Raees, forcefully entered her house and brutally slit her throat before stabbing her several times. She died on the spot. Law enforcement arrested Raees within hours of the crime.

Bhagyashree’s sister, Subhadra Bai, shared shocking details about the repeated harassment her sibling had faced. “Raees used to grab her hair, beat her, harass her… He had been pressuring her for marriage and religious conversion for a long time. My sister refused, so he entered the house at night and slit her throat,” she told authorities.

The family had reportedly approached the police just a few days before the murder, and again just hours prior to the fatal attack. This has led to accusations of gross negligence against local police officials. In response, constables Wasim Qureshi and Iqbal Khan from the Navara police outpost have been line attached as part of a departmental action.

Public anger intensified on Saturday as community members, joined by leaders from Hindu organisations such as Bajrang Dal, VHP, Hindu Jagran Manch, and the Balai community, staged a protest. They placed Bhagyashree’s body on the road, demanding the immediate demolition of the accused’s house and shop and strict legal action against any accomplices.

Police officials, including SP Devendra Patidar, ASP Antar Singh Kanesh, SDM Bhagirath Vakhala, and SDOP Nirbhay Singh Alawa, visited the scene to calm tensions. Local MLA Manju Dadu and Balai community president Manoj Parmar also met the grieving family, assuring them that justice would be delivered and action taken against negligent officers.

Following growing demands for justice, the authorities confirmed that the accused had encroached on government land. “The administration has taken cognizance,” said SDM Bhagirath Vakhala, indicating that demolition of illegal properties would follow.

The cremation, which was scheduled for the afternoon after the postmortem, was delayed by more than two hours due to the ongoing protests. It finally took place at 6:50 pm after authorities addressed some of the protesters’ concerns.

Protest Leader Labels Murder as ‘Love Jihad’

Amit Varude, one of the protest leaders, described the incident as a clear case of “love jihad.” He blamed the police for failing to protect Bhagyashree, stating, “She had lodged a complaint just three-four days ago, but the accused was released. He must be hanged.”

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Additional SP Kanesh confirmed that the accused remains in custody.

Manoj Parmar, president of the Balai community from Indore, emphasized the legal requirement of compensation under the SC/ST Act. “A compensation of Rs 4.12 lakh must be paid at the time of FIR registration and again when the charge sheet is filed,” he said. He also alleged that the accused had previously bribed local police officials to escape action.

Raees, who operates a dairy business in the Matapur market, reportedly has a history of illegal activities and family discord. His wife had already separated from him, and a maintenance case is ongoing in court.

Shops in Nepanagar and Navara remained closed on Saturday as local Hindu groups called for a bandh in protest against the incident and the alleged police inaction.