Honour killing in India: Kranti Kashyap likely victim of honour killing by father and brothers

Kranti Kashyap
Age: 18
Strangled: 25 May 2026
Place of residence: Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
Origin: India
Children: -
Perpetrators: father and brothers

The Indian police have arrested a father and two brothers after their daughter and sister, Kranti Kashyap, was allegedly the victim of an honour killing in the Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, in northern India.

According to the police, the family objected to a relationship Kranti was involved in. Investigators suspect that this was the trigger for the violence.

On 25 May 2026, Kranti Kashyap was allegedly confronted at her home in the village of Barser, in Bareilly district, by her father Mahendra Kashyap and her brothers Akash and Aman Kashyap. During this confrontation, she was reportedly assaulted and then strangled.

The following day, relatives attempted to present her death as a natural one. They claimed she had died due to health issues, while at the same time preparing for a quick cremation.

However, the circumstances surrounding the death raised questions for an uncle of the victim and several villagers. Their concerns were reported to the police, after which the authorities intervened and launched an investigation. The body was subsequently secured for an autopsy.

On 27 May 2026, the authorities announced that preliminary investigation results indicated a violent death. A murder case was registered against the father and both brothers, and they were taken into custody for further investigation.

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.