Geeta Prahlad participated in her mother’s funeral procession earlier this week. (Source: Express photo) Geeta Prahlad participated in her mother’s funeral procession earlier this week. (Source: Express photo)

A man killed his sister, the sarpanch of Mohda village in Chhattisgarh, on Thursday afternoon as she had defied the custom and lit the funeral pyre of their mother. Tejram Verma was aided by his son Piyush as they attacked 46-year-old Geeta Prahlad when she was going to a river for a customary bath three days after the death of their mother.

Geeta ran to save her life as they chased her in front of villagers and hit her repeatedly with axes. They also attacked her son Vikram and sister Sita who tried to intervene. Both suffered serious injuries.

A resident of Mohda village, around 30 km from Raipur, Geeta was immediately taken to a Raipur hospital but she died on the way. Tejram and Piyush have been arrested.

According to Investigating Officer Arun Devta, Tejram has given a statement that he was annoyed with Geeta for conducting the last rites of their mother Surjubai.

Incidentally, Tejram had abandoned his mother over a family dispute years ago and since then she was living with her daughter Geeta. Before her death, Surjubai had expressed a wish that her last rites be performed by her daughter. She passed away on Tuesday and Tejram was not present at the funeral.

According to villagers, Tejram was not as perturbed by her conducting the last rites as he was after local media published her photograph with the funeral pyre. Since then neighbours repeatedly taunted him which provoked him to commit the act, villagers said.

The siblings also had an ongoing property dispute. Besides Geeta, Tejram has two other sisters. Surjubai owned over 7 acre land which is in the possession of Tejram. A case among the siblings over the land’s ownership is pending in a local court.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.