Nanded, Maharashtra: Seven months ago, Gajanan Balaji Mamidwar was seen dancing joyfully with his daughter Aanchal and her boyfriend, Saksham Tate, during an Ambedkar Jayanti celebration. Today, he is in police custody, accused of murdering the same young man he appeared to welcome into his family.
Aanchal Mamidwar — now tragically referred to as the woman who “married her lover’s corpse” — has alleged that her father and brothers betrayed both her and Saksham by faking acceptance of their relationship, only to kill him later. The killing has shaken Nanded and sparked outrage over caste-based violence and honour crimes.
April Video Shows Family Dancing Together
The incident traces back to April 14, when Aanchal, 21, and Saksham, 20, were seen celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti alongside her father and friends. In the video, the couple appears carefree and happy, unaware of the danger ahead. Gajanan Mamidwar is even seen hugging his daughter affectionately as Tate’s friends lift him on their shoulders.
Ambedkar Jayanti — a day celebrated across communities, especially Dalits and Adivasis — marked a moment of unity. But beneath that celebration, tensions may have simmered quietly.
Saksham Tate belonged to the Dalit community, while Aanchal’s family comes from the Special Backward Class.
Sources: Family Plotted To Gain Trust Before Murder
According to sources, Aanchal’s father and brother deliberately behaved warmly with Tate to gain his trust — a strategy allegedly planned in advance. Days later, that trust was shattered when Tate was killed.
All four family members — Aanchal’s parents and her two brothers — have now been named as accused in the murder. One brother, who police say fired the gunshot and smashed Tate’s head with a tile, is a juvenile.
The Killing: Shot In Chest, Hit With Tile
On Thursday evening, Saksham Tate was shot, with the bullet piercing his ribs. Police say his attacker also hit him on the head with a tile, leading to his death.
During Tate’s final rites on Friday, in a moment that left the community stunned, Aanchal “married” his lifeless body, symbolising her commitment to him even in death. She has demanded capital punishment for her father and brothers.
Allegation Against Police: ‘My Brother Was Provoked To Kill’
Hours before the murder, Aanchal’s younger brother allegedly took her to a police station to file a complaint against Tate. When she refused, she claims two police officials provoked her brother instead.
According to her:
“Two police officials told him he should go kill the man I love rather than fight with others.”
She says her brother became enraged, telling officers he would return after killing Saksham — and did exactly that.
Three-Year Relationship, No Warning Signs
Aanchal says she and Saksham had been in a relationship for three years, and her family frequently socialised with him.
“They would eat together, sit together. They made him believe everything was fine. We had no idea something like this would happen,” she told NDTV in an interview.
She also alleged that her father once told Saksham he must convert to “Hindu Dharma” if he wanted to marry her.
“Saksham was ready for anything to be with me. But I don’t know what changed,” she said.
Charges Filed Under Multiple Acts, Including SC/ST Act
Police have registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
- Murder
- Unlawful assembly
- Rioting
- Use of Arms
Given the caste angle, provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked. The accused are currently under investigation at Itwara police station.