A 22-year-old woman from Sarkhej, Sofia Farooq, was allegedly killed by her father and brother in an “honour” killing after a video showing her with a male friend went viral around three months ago, police said.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Farooq Nawabkhan, 56, and Habil Farooq, 38, who run a fabrication business, according to M Division traffic police inspector U B Dhakada.
Police said the duo allegedly took Sofia to an isolated stretch near Gheljipura in Sarkhej and attacked her with a hammer before attempting to pass off the killing as a road accident. Sofia worked as a receptionist at a hospital in Juhapura.
The case initially appeared to be a hit-and-run. Police were told that Sofia was riding pillion with Habil on the night of August 12 when an unidentified vehicle allegedly rammed their motorcycle from behind near Samruddh Dairy.
Sofia suffered severe injuries to her head and legs and was taken to Sola Civil Hospital, where she was declared dead on August 13.
“Investigation revealed that the accident story was fabricated to mislead police,” Dhakada said.
As the investigation progressed, police allegedly found that Habil had taken Sofia on a motorcycle to an isolated location near Gheljipura village, with an iron hammer concealed in his trousers.
According to police, a video showing Sofia with a young man had gone viral around three months earlier. Her father and brother subsequently reprimanded her and objected to her continued conversations with other men, Dhakada said.
Police alleged that the two developed a grudge against Sofia and subsequently plotted her murder, claiming they wanted to protect the family’s reputation within their community.
After reaching the isolated location, Habil allegedly struck Sofia on the head with the hammer three times, while his father assisted him, police said.
The duo then allegedly took her back to a public road and attempted to create the impression that an unidentified vehicle had collided with their motorcycle. They reportedly lodged a false complaint and fabricated an accident narrative to divert the investigation.
A murder case has been registered against the father-son duo, and further investigation is underway.
