A tragic incident of alleged honour killing has rocked Macherla town in Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district. A 22-year-old woman, Choudeswari, was reportedly strangled to death by her own father on March 18, 2026. The devastating truth emerged after a post-mortem report on April 4, 2026, contradicted initial suspicions of suicide, pointing instead to a heinous crime driven by familial disapproval of her marriage choice. Police have now taken the father into custody, initiating a full investigation into this heartbreaking case.

What Happened?

Choudeswari, a resident of Yadava Bazar in Macherla Town, had found love with Nagaraju, a man from Jammalamadaka within the same district. However, her family had arranged her marriage with another individual. Defying her family's wishes, Choudeswari bravely chose her partner, escaping her home on March 4, 2026, to marry Nagaraju. This decision set off a chain of events that culminated in tragedy.

Following her elopement, Choudeswari's father, Chandra Sreenu, filed a 'woman missing' complaint with the Macherla police. After several days, the family even staged a protest, accusing the police of inaction in locating their daughter. The situation escalated until March 18, when police located and brought the newlywed couple back. During questioning, Choudeswari, being a major, firmly stated that she had married Nagaraju willingly and wished to live with him. Despite her clear declaration, and attempts by community elders to intervene, police reportedly sent Choudeswari home with her parents, while Nagaraju returned with his own family.

Tragically, on that very night of March 18, Chandra Sreenu, allegedly with another accomplice, brutally strangled his daughter to death while she was asleep. They then attempted to conceal the crime by staging the scene to appear as a suicide. The truth, however, could not remain hidden indefinitely. The subsequent post-mortem examination, conducted after initial suspicions, conclusively revealed that Choudeswari's death was not self-inflicted, but a deliberate act of murder. This critical report, released on April 4, 2026, confirmed the horrific nature of the crime.

Key Highlights

A 22-year-old woman, Choudeswari, was allegedly murdered by her father in Macherla town, Andhra Pradesh.
The victim died on March 18, 2026, initially suspected as suicide, but a post-mortem report confirmed strangulation.
Choudeswari had married Nagaraju against her family's wishes, who had arranged her marriage with another person.
On March 18, police brought the couple after a missing complaint, and Choudeswari expressed her desire to live with her husband.
Despite her clear statement, police reportedly sent her with her parents and her husband with his family.
Her father, Chandra Sreenu, and another person allegedly strangled her to death that same night, fabricating a suicide scene.
Chandra Sreenu has been taken into police custody, and an investigation is currently underway.

Why Does This Matter?

This incident underscores a deeply concerning issue in society: the grave danger faced by individuals who choose partners outside of their family's approval, often referred to as honour killings. It highlights how personal autonomy and the right to choose one's life partner can be tragically suppressed by traditional or patriarchal beliefs. For common people, this story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of individual rights and the need for stronger societal condemnation and legal protection against such egregious acts of violence. It also brings into focus the critical role law enforcement plays in protecting vulnerable individuals when they express their wishes, particularly in sensitive family disputes.

Moreover, this case calls into question the handling of such situations by authorities. The decision to send Choudeswari back with her parents despite her expressed desire to live with her husband is a critical point that needs review. It emphasizes the need for consistent and sensitive protocols within the police system to ensure the safety of individuals, especially adult women, who are making independent life choices. For every citizen, understanding and advocating against honour-based violence is crucial for fostering a society where everyone can live free from fear and coercion, upholding the fundamental right to life and personal liberty.