Suspected Honor Killing of Young Engineer in India

Ganesh K.
Age: 25
Stabbed to death: September 28, 2025
Location: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Origin: India
Perpetrator: Brother-in-law

In the South Indian city of Guntur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh (about 350 kilometers south of Hyderabad), a 25-year-old engineer, Ganesh K., was murdered on October 7, 2025 — just thirteen days after his wedding. The suspected perpetrator is his brother-in-law, Durga Rao, the brother of Ganesh’s wife, Keerthi Veeranjaneya Devi.

According to the police investigation, Rao strongly opposed his sister’s marriage, which had taken place without his approval. Ganesh and Keerthi married despite his objections, leading to a family dispute.

On the day of the murder, Ganesh was traveling from his residence toward Guntur. Rao, who reportedly has multiple criminal cases pending against him, followed him along with two accomplices. During the journey, Ganesh was attacked and stabbed multiple times with knives. Bystanders took him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

A police officer told the news agency PTI that the motive is directly related to Rao’s disapproval of the marriage. Authorities have registered a case under Section 103(1), which pertains to murder.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who fled after the attack. The murder has sparked outrage in the region. Local residents are demanding justice and drawing attention to the devastating consequences of family conflicts and caste discrimination.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.