In a case of alleged honour killing, a married woman was murdered for allegedly eloping with a man of other religion in Paonta Sahib area of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, around 200 km from here.

Police said the incident took place on Saturday night after the woman was allegedly forcibly taken to her home by her parents from outside SDM office after a hearing.

She was allegedly beaten to death and later her body was cremated in a hurry by her parents.

“We have arrested three persons including the victim’s father Sudarshan Singh, her uncle Kali Ram and cousin brother Naresh in the case. Three more persons have also been detained,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Paonta Sahib Pramod Chauhan told The Statesman.

Chauhan said a forensic experts’ team is visiting the spot to gather evidence and they interrogating the accused to find more details in the case.

The woman identified as Reena Devi had allegedly eloped with a youth on 13 June and after she didn’t returned home, a missing complaint was filed with police by her husband.

The victim had returned 22 June and had recorded her statement in front of local police that she didn’t want to go with her parents or her in-laws which had further infuriated her family members.

On 23 June, she had repeated her statement before a court and had stated that she should be sent to Nari Sewa Sadan instead of sending her with her parents or in-laws. Sources said though the court had ruled that being an adult, she is free to stay wherever she wants, she was forcibly taken by her parents and later she was allegedly beaten to death.

The family members were allegedly angry with the victim for spoiling family’s reputation and it might have resulted in her death, sources added.

Her parents cremated her in a hurry on Sunday but the funeral had raised doubts over the cause of her death, resulting in village elders informing the police about the incident.

Her lawyer Arif Ansari reportedly said she was kidnapped by her parents from outside court and he had reported the matter to police but no action was taken.

A case under section 302 and 201 of IPC has been registered and further investigations in the matter are on.