Hubballi, Karnataka | December 22, 2025
In a chilling case of honour killing that has sent shockwaves through Karnataka, a 19-year-old woman, six months pregnant, was brutally beaten to death by her own father and relatives in the early hours of Sunday. The victim, identified as Manya Dhoddamani, had married a man from the Dalit community against her family's wishes, sparking the fatal confrontation in Inam Veerapura village, Hubballi taluk, Dharwad district.
According to police reports, the incident unfolded late Saturday night when Manya returned to her parents' home in the village, accompanied by her husband, Veeresh Madival, and his relatives. The couple, who had eloped and solemnized their marriage in a temple in May this year, had been living together despite vehement opposition from Manya's family. Tensions escalated into violence when Manya's father, Siddappa Dhoddamani, along with two other family members, allegedly assaulted her with sticks and other blunt objects. The attack was so severe that Manya succumbed to her injuries later that night at a private hospital in Hubballi.
Veeresh and three of his relatives also sustained serious injuries during the melee and are currently receiving treatment at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi. Their condition is stated to be stable, but they remain under observation, police said. Hubballi Rural Police Station SHO, Inspector Basavaraj Hukkeri, confirmed that a case has been registered under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Siddappa and the two accused relatives—identified as his brother and nephew—have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations suggest the motive stemmed from deep-seated caste prejudices. Manya's family belongs to the Lingayat community, while Veeresh is from the Madiga sub-caste within the Scheduled Castes. "The family had warned her repeatedly against the marriage, viewing it as a stain on their honour," a senior police officer told reporters, adding that the couple had been facing threats since their union. Neighbours in Inam Veerapura, a close-knit rural village about 10 km from Hubballi city, described Manya as a "bright and loving girl" who had completed her pre-university education before the elopement.
The tragedy has ignited widespread outrage, with Dalit rights groups and women's organizations staging protests outside the Hubballi Rural Police Station demanding swift justice and stricter enforcement of anti-honour killing laws. Karnataka State Women's Commission Chairperson, Nagalaxmi Chauhan, condemned the incident as "barbaric" and urged the state government to intervene. "This is not just a family matter; it's a systemic failure in eradicating caste-based violence," she said in a statement. Protesters chanted slogans like "Justice for Manya" and called for the immediate transfer of the case to a fast-track court.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the loss of a young life and directed the Director General of Police to ensure a thorough probe. "Such acts of caste discrimination have no place in a progressive society. The perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law," he posted on X (formerly Twitter). The state has seen a spate of similar honour killings in recent years, prompting calls for a dedicated law to criminalize such acts, though no comprehensive legislation has been enacted yet.
As the investigation continues, forensic teams are examining the crime scene at the family home, and statements from the injured survivors are awaited. Manya's unborn child, a poignant symbol of the couple's dreams, now stands as a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of entrenched social divides.
This report is based on inputs from Hubballi Rural Police and multiple eyewitness accounts. Further developments will be updated as they emerge.
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