Mainpuri: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that a 19-year-old woman in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, was shot in the head, allegedly by her father, for opposing a forced arranged marriage, and has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from state authorities within seven days, IANS reported on Friday, October 23.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, seeking a swift and time-bound investigation, strict action under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and preservation of all ballistic and forensic evidence, the Commission said.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

"No one has the right to dictate a woman's choice of partner through violence. Honour-based violence and attempts to silence women through fear will not be tolerated. A woman's right to life, dignity and freedom of choice must be upheld without exception," the Commission wrote on X.

Source: NCW on X, via IANS

The Commission has also called for specialised medical treatment for the survivor, security for her and her mother, legal assistance and compensation, along with expeditious prosecution, IANS and Nation Press reported.

Source: Nation Press

What police said about the shooting

According to police, the woman, Shazia, was allegedly shot in the head while she was asleep on Monday, October 19, in Bhongaon town of Mainpuri district. Superintendent of Police (City) Arun Kumar Singh told PTI that her father, Asin Khan, a 48-year-old labourer, had fixed her marriage with another man for November 19, and that she had refused that match because she wanted to marry the person she loved. These are police allegations; the case is under investigation.

Source: PTI via LatestLY

Police said Shazia's mother, Kherunisha, heard the gunshot, rushed her daughter to the district hospital — from where she was referred to Saifai Medical College in critical condition — and lodged an FIR accusing her husband of attempting to kill their daughter. Singh said Khan was arrested while he was on his way to the Bhongaon police station after the alleged shooting, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via LatestLY

What is solid

  • The NCW took suo motu cognisance on October 23 and sought an Action Taken Report from UP authorities within seven days; Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the UP DGP demanding a time-bound investigation, BNS action and preservation of ballistic and forensic evidence (IANS; Nation Press).
  • Police say 19-year-old Shazia was shot in the head while asleep at her home in Bhongaon, Mainpuri, on October 19 and is in critical condition at Saifai Medical College; her father Asin Khan was arrested after her mother lodged an FIR (PTI).

What is only claimed

  • Police allege the motive was Shazia's refusal of a marriage her father had fixed for November 19 and her wish to marry the person she loved; the accused has not been convicted and the investigation is ongoing.

State authorities now have seven days to file the Action Taken Report with the Commission. Awaaz Punjab will update this story when the report is filed or police release further findings.