Our love won: Woman marries lovers body after he is killed by her family over caste differences

New Delhi: A 21-year-old woman in Maharashtra’s Nanded performed a symbolic wedding with the body of her boyfriend just minutes before his cremation, after he was allegedly killed by her own family over caste differences.

Aanchal Mamidwar "married” her deceased partner, 23-year-old Saksham Tate, during his final rites on Friday, an emotional act captured in videos that quickly spread across social media. Standing by his body, Aanchal insisted, "Our love won, even in Saksham's death; and my father and brothers lost.” She also vowed to stay with the Tate family "as their daughter-in-law”, declaring that the ritual would make their bond "immortal”.

Speaking to the media, she demanded the harshest punishment for her father and brothers, whom she accused of murdering Saksham in cold blood: "cold-blooded murder”, she said, calling for them to be hanged.

According to police, tensions had escalated after Aanchal’s family learned that she intended to marry Saksham, who belonged to another caste. Officers said her brother, Himesh Mamidwar, confronted Saksham in Nanded’s old Ganj area on Thursday evening and opened fire, with a bullet striking him near the ribs. Himesh then allegedly struck him on the head with a tile or stone, killing him on the spot.

Police arrested Himesh, his brother Sahil, and their father, Gajanan Mamidwar, shortly after the attack. Investigators noted that Saksham and Himesh were once close friends and both had criminal records.

As preparations for the funeral began the next day, a grief-stricken Aanchal arrived at Saksham’s home. In an emotionally charged ceremony, she applied turmeric to his body and placed vermillion on her forehead, symbolising a marriage. She told those present that she had gone through with the ritual because, despite his death, their love remained "very much alive.”