Hubballi, 22 Dec 

A six-month pregnant woman died at a private hospital here after being allegedly assaulted by her relatives over her inter-caste marriage, police said on Monday.

Three persons, including the victim’s father, have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on Sunday evening at Inam-Veerapur village in Hubballi Rural taluk.

The woman, aged around 20, sustained grievous injuries after being allegedly attacked with a pipe and agricultural implements. She succumbed to her injuries late on Sunday night, police said.

According to police, the woman had married a man from another caste in May, against her family’s wishes. Fearing threats to their lives, the couple had been living in the neighbouring Haveri district. They returned to the village earlier this month.

On Sunday, the woman’s relatives allegedly attempted to assault her husband and father-in-law while they were working in an agricultural field. The two managed to escape.

The accused then allegedly entered the woman’s house and assaulted her, along with another woman and a man present there. She was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition, where she later died.

A case has been registered at the Hubballi Rural police station, and further investigation is underway.