'Save me' message to boyfriend on WhatsApp, 18-year-old teen found dead hours later

AHMEDABAD: An 18-year-old girl was found dead in Gujarat's Banaskantha district yesterday. Hours after she sent a message to her boyfriend on Instagram asking him to 'save her', the girl was found dead in her own home. Initially, it was suspected that she died of natural causes, but the investigation confirmed that she was murdered. The victim was identified as Chandrika Chaudhary, a native of Tharad in Gujarat.

Chandrika was murdered by her father, Sethabhai Patel and uncle Shivabhai Patel. As per ASP Suman Nala, two people have been arrested in the incident, and Sethabhai is absconding. Chandrika was in love with Harish Chaudhary. However, the girl's family was against the relationship. The family wanted her to marry someone of the family's choice. Realising this, the girl informed Harish about the matter. When she realised that her life was in danger, Chandrika sent a message to her boyfriend saying that she should be saved or else her family would go to the extent of murder. Chandrika was found dead hours later.

The family informed relatives and locals that the girl had committed suicide. However, Harish filed a complaint with the police claiming that Chandrika was murdered. Subsequent investigations revealed that the girl was murdered by her father and uncle in a planned manner.

Chandrika had gone with Harish a few days before the murder. The family then filed a missing complaint with the police. The police later found the girl and sent her with the family. After Chandrika expressed fear of attack from her family members, Harish filed a habeas corpus petition in court. However, Chandrika died before the court could hear the case. Meanwhile, the family also submitted a certificate stating that her daughter had died of natural causes. However, Harish, who had become suspicious, filed a complaint with the police.

Even in a natural death case, the family did not summon a doctor, and this fact alarmed Harish. The body was also cremated in a hurry. Not even Chandrika's brother was informed about the funeral. 'After giving her sleeping pills, Chandrika was strangled to death. The body was then hung using a rope to resemble a suicide', the officials said.