Mumbai police arrest six people over murder of interfaith couple

Karan Ramesh Chandra and Gulnaz Khan
Ages: 22, 20
Stabbed to death: October 2023
Residence: Zion Koliwada, Mumbai
Origin: India
Children: -
Perpetrators: her father Gora Raisuddiun Khan (50), his son Salman Gora Khan (22), his friend Mohammed Kaif Naushad Khan (21) and three minors

In 2022, Karan Ramesh Chandra (22) and Gulnaz Khan (20) married for love against the wishes of her family. In October, the couple was lured to Sion Koliwada, a neighborhood in Mumbai, by Gulnaz's father, who wanted to show them the city.

It turned out to be a trap. Karan Ramesh Chandra and Gulnaz Khan were slaughtered by Gulnaz's father, Gora Raisuddiun Khan (50), her brother Salman Gora Khan (22) and their accomplice Mohammed Kaif Naushad Khan (21), along with three minors. They dismembered the bodies and scattered the remains in different parts of Mumbai.

A large investigation team was formed after the discovery of Khan's body in a well in Mankhurd district on October 14.

Police identified the victims and began searching for suspects. Through Karan's family in Uttar Pradesh, they learned that the couple had visited Mumbai at the invitation of Gulnaz's father.

Gulnaz met her brutal end in Kalamboli neighborhood near Panvel in Navi Mumbai, where her face was crushed by a stone.

The investigation led to the arrest of Gora Raisuddiun Khan, Salman Gora Khan and Mohammed Kaif Naushad Khan, while three minors were also arrested in connection with this honor-related murder. Gora and his son confessed to the double murder.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.