GUJARAT, (India): A 22-year-old woman from Sarkhej, Sofia Farooq, was allegedly killed by her father and brother in the name of “honour” after a video of her with a male friend went viral around three months ago.
Police uncover fake accident story
According to the TOI report, the accused have been identified as Mohammed Farooq Nawabkhan, 56, and Habil Farooq, 38, said M Division traffic police inspector U B Dhakada.
Police said the father and son, who run a fabrication business, allegedly took Sofia on a motorcycle to an isolated stretch near Gheljipura in Sarkhej.
Habil allegedly carried an iron hammer hidden in his trousers and attacked Sofia, after which the two staged the killing as a road accident.
Sofia worked as a receptionist at a hospital in Juhapura. The case initially appeared to be a hit-and-run.
Police were told that Sofia was riding pillion with Habil on the night of Aug 12 when an unidentified vehicle allegedly rammed their motorcycle from behind near Samruddh Dairy.
She suffered serious injuries to her head and legs and was taken to Sola Civil Hospital, where she was declared dead on Aug 13.
“Investigation revealed that the accident story was fabricated to mislead police,” Dhakada said.
Video allegedly led to family’s anger
During the investigation, police found that Sofia had allegedly been taken to an isolated area near Gheljipura village instead of following the route described by Habil.
Police said a video showing Sofia with a youth had gone viral around three months before the incident.
Her father and brother allegedly objected to the video and to her continued conversations with other boys.
“The video involving Sofia and a youth had gone viral around three months earlier, after which her father and brother reprimanded her and objected to her continued conversations with other boys,” Dhakada said.
According to police, the two allegedly held a grudge against Sofia and planned her murder, saying they wanted to protect the family’s reputation in their community.
Police alleged that after reaching the isolated location, Habil struck Sofia on the head three times with the hammer, while Farooq assisted him.
They then allegedly moved her to a public road and created the impression that an unknown vehicle had hit their motorcycle.
“The accused lodged a false complaint about an unknown vehicle and created a fake accident narrative to mislead the investigation,” Dhakada said.
CCTV footage exposes inconsistencies
The police investigation later found several differences between Habil’s account and the actual movements of the motorcycle.
CCTV footage from the route he claimed to have taken and the route investigators believe was actually used allegedly showed inconsistencies in the timing, route and sequence of events.
Traffic police investigators, including PSI Syed and technical staff, subsequently questioned Habil.
Police said he eventually confessed to his involvement during interrogation. A murder case has been registered against the father-son duo.
About Family
The family originally belongs to Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and currently lives in Fatehwadi.
Police said Mohammed Farooq has five daughters, three of whom are married, while Habil has four daughters. - The Statesman/ANN
