In a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, a 25-year-old man allegedly strangled his 21-year-old sister to death in what police suspect was an honour killing stemming from her interfaith romantic relationship.
The killing took place in the Matawali Patti area under the Asmoli police station jurisdiction. The accused, Jane Alam (also spelled Jaane Alam), reportedly confessed to the crime by dialing the emergency number 112 shortly after the incident on Thursday night and surrendered to authorities.
The victim, Roop Jahan, had been in a relationship with 22-year-old Shivam Saini, a man from the same village but belonging to a different community (Saini, while the family identifies as Muslim). The relationship caused significant family and community backlash.
Villagers reportedly mocked the family over the affair, leading to deep humiliation. Roop eventually left home to stay with relatives of her lover in Amroha district. However, villagers intervened, and family members forcibly brought her back home. This escalation appears to have triggered the violence: while other family members were away, Jane Alam allegedly strangled his sister in a fit of rage.
After the act, he contacted police via the emergency helpline, admitting what he had done. The victim’s father, Nausher, openly defended his son’s actions in statements to authorities and media. He described Roop’s relationship as “unbecoming” conduct that brought shame to the family, saying the villagers had been “making fun of me” because of it.
He added that his son felt no remorse and that “it was correct to kill the girl who insulted us,” attributing the killing to a “fit of rage.” Nausher further noted that the marriage would have been impossible due to religious differences, stating, “We are Muslims, and he is a Saini. How could we have performed the marriage? The matter would have been different had the boy belonged to our community.
“Police, led by ASP Kuldeep Singh, confirmed that Jane Alam was taken into custody following his self-reported confession via the PCR call. A murder case has been registered against him, based on a complaint filed by the mother of the deceased’s lover.
Authorities are questioning other family members to investigate any potential conspiracy or additional involvement.The incident highlights ongoing tensions around interfaith relationships in parts of rural India, where community pressure and notions of family honour can lead to extreme violence.