In a disturbing incident in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district, a 17-year-old boy was brutally murdered allegedly by the family of the girl he was meeting. The boy, identified as Ayush, a Class 12 student from Kandarwasa village, was reportedly called by the girl and asked to come over. When he arrived at her house in Mewasa village, under Namli police station area, around midnight on Friday, the girl's father caught them together.

Enraged by the situation, the girl's father allegedly tied Ayush to a post and beat him with sticks. These injuries reportedly led to Ayush's death. According to Ayush's elder brother, Anil, the family also shaved Ayush's head. The incident came to light when Ayush's body was discovered early Saturday morning in front of a temple near the accused's house.

Initially, the accused attempted to mislead the police by claiming that Ayush was a buffalo thief. However, after a strict interrogation, the girl's father confessed to the crime. Police have registered a case of murder, and one person has been taken into custody. Further investigations are currently underway.

This tragic event highlights the persistent issue of honor killings in India, particularly in regions like Madhya Pradesh. In similar incidents, a 20-year-old girl in Gwalior was allegedly killed by her father and cousin for desiring a love marriage. In another case in Harda district, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly strangled to death by her father for wanting to marry a neighbor. These incidents reflect the extreme measures some families take to control women's relationships and maintain their perceived social standing.

In June 2025, two suspected honor killings were reported in Madhya Pradesh. In one instance, a 19-year-old Class XI student was allegedly shot dead for being in a relationship with a youth from another caste. In another incident, a man was beaten to death by relatives of a married woman with whom he had eloped.

These cases underscore the urgent need for social reform and legal measures to protect individuals from honor-based violence. While laws exist to punish perpetrators, changing deeply ingrained social attitudes and norms remains a significant challenge. Education, awareness campaigns, and community involvement are crucial in preventing such tragedies and promoting a society where individuals are free to make their own choices without fear of violence or retribution.