HYDERABAD: A 28-year-old woman was allegedly dragged out of her house and brutally murdered by her husband’s elder brothers and other family members over a dispute concerning 1.5 acres of land registered in her name in Mahabubnagar district on Monday.The accused allegedly threatened her repeatedly for refusing to give up the land before carrying out the murder.According to the police, Sunitha, a native of Obulayyapally village in Mahabubnagar mandal, married Balram of Chintal Thanda in Koilkonda mandal 12 years ago.The couple have two daughters, Rishika and Shailaja. Balram has been suffering from mental health issues.About a year ago, a village elders’ meeting was held to resolve differences between the couple.During the meeting, 1.5 acres of agricultural land was registered in Sunitha’s name to secure her future. However, this decision did not go down well with Balram’s elder brothers, Pandu Naik and Manya Naik, who opposed the transfer of land to her.The brothers allegedly prevented Sunitha and Balram from living together and frequently took Balram to Hyderabad.Unable to bear the harassment, Sunitha left for her parents’ home. Her parents later persuaded her to return and built a separate house for the couple in Chintal Thanda, where she had been living for the past month.However, the harassment allegedly continued. Sunitha’s brothers-in-law repeatedly visited her house and demanded that she give up the land and leave the village. They also threatened to kill her if she refused.On Monday afternoon, her father-in-law Manikya Naik, brothers-in-law Manya Naik and Pandu Naik, and Pandu Naik’s wife Parvathi allegedly went to her house. They tied a white dhoti around her neck and dragged her to their house. They then slit her throat with knives, killing her on the spot.Police shifted the body to Mahabubnagar Government General Hospital for post-mortem examination. Balram is currently in Hyderabad.Based on a complaint lodged by Sunitha’s father, Valya Naik, police registered a case and took up an investigation, the police said.
