A 50-year-old man was arrested in Gujarat’s Anand district for allegedly strangling his 21-year-old daughter to death over her relationship with a man from another community, police said.The incident took place in Khambhat on the night of November 8, when the accused, identified as Kaushal Patel, allegedly killed his daughter, Sania Patel, using her own dupatta.The murder initially appeared to be a case of suicide, but a medical examination and subsequent police investigation exposed the alleged crime.According to the police, Sania had returned to her hometown after completing her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree in Vadodara. She was reportedly in a relationship with a young man from the same village and wished to marry him.

Her father had been aware of the relationship for nearly a year but strongly opposed it because the two belonged to different communities.The relationship had reportedly been a source of friction between the father and daughter for several months. Despite repeated attempts by Kaushal to persuade her to end the relationship, Sania continued communicating with the young man over the phone, further aggravating the situation.

Police said that on the night of November 8, family members were together at home before retiring to their respective rooms. At around 3.15 am, Kaushal allegedly confronted Sania about her relationship while they were in the kitchen.During the argument, he reportedly asked her, "What if I strangle you?" Sania initially took the remark as a joke.

However, her father allegedly used her dupatta to strangle her, leaving her unconscious and eventually killing her.Following the incident, the accused allegedly attempted to pass off the death as suicide or an unnatural death.The family subsequently took Sania's body to Khambhat Government Hospital at around 8 am on November 9.However, doctors grew suspicious after examining injury marks on her neck and recommended a forensic post-mortem examination.The body was subsequently sent for an autopsy, which established that Sania had died due to ligature strangulation, indicating that pressure had been applied to her neck.The findings prompted the police to launch a detailed investigation. During questioning of the family members, including the victim's parents, the circumstances surrounding the death came under scrutiny.Police said the investigation revealed the father's involvement, and Kaushal allegedly confessed to killing his daughter.According to the police, the motive behind the murder was Sania's intention to marry a man from a different community, a decision her father had strongly opposed.An official said the disagreement had resulted in continued conflict between the two for several months, and the father allegedly committed the crime out of resentment.A murder case was registered against Kaushal Patel under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Khambhat Town Police Station on November 9.A sub-inspector filed the complaint on behalf of the state.

The accused, a resident of Sahjanand Faliya in Metpur, was arrested at around 10 pm the same day.Police are now pursuing further legal proceedings to secure his remand.Investigators are also collecting scientific evidence with the assistance of forensic experts to establish the sequence of events and strengthen the case.The incident has sent shockwaves through the village and once again brought the issue of violence arising from opposition to inter-community relationships into focus. Further investigation is underway.- Ends