NCW seeks UP DGP report after teen girl shot by father over marriage
Synopsis
A 19-year-old girl in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly shot in the head by her father for refusing a forced arranged marriage — and is now fighting for her life at Saifai Medical College. The NCW has stepped in, giving UP police seven days to explain, while demanding forensic preservation, security for the survivor, and prosecution under the BNS.
Key Takeaways
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the shooting of Shazia , a 19-year-old girl in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh .
Shazia was allegedly shot in the head while asleep by her father, Asin Khan , for opposing a forced arranged marriage.
She is undergoing critical treatment at Saifai Medical College .
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the UP DGP , seeking a time-bound investigation and strict action under the BNS .
The Commission has demanded an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 7 days , along with security, legal aid, and compensation for the survivor and her mother.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a reported incident in which a 19-year-old Muslim girl in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly shot in the head by her own father for opposing a forced arranged marriage and asserting her right to choose her life partner. The Commission has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from state authorities within seven days, an official confirmed on Friday, 23 October 2026.
What Happened in Mainpuri
The victim, identified as Shazia, was reportedly shot in the head while she was asleep at the family's residence in Mainpuri, according to media reports. Her father, Asin Khan, is the accused. Shazia is currently undergoing critical treatment at Saifai Medical College. She had allegedly refused a forced arranged marriage and sought the right to choose her own partner — a decision that reportedly triggered the attack.
This comes amid persistent concerns over honour-based violence targeting women in Uttar Pradesh and across India. The incident has drawn sharp attention given its severity and the vulnerability of the survivor.
What the NCW Has Demanded
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written directly to the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, demanding a swift and time-bound investigation, strict action under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and preservation of all ballistic and forensic evidence. The Commission has also called for specialised medical treatment, security for the survivor and her mother, legal assistance, compensation, and expeditious prosecution.
'No one has the right to dictate a woman's choice of partner through violence. Honour-based violence and attempts to silence women through fear will not be tolerated. A woman's right to life, dignity and freedom of choice must be upheld without exception,' the Commission stated in a post on X.
NCW's Broader Commitment to Women's Safety
Rahatkar separately reiterated the Commission's broader mandate in a message on X, stating: 'Our commitment to women's dignity, safety, justice, and empowerment will remain unwavering. With this resolve for women's empowerment, we will all continue to move forward together.' She also set an institutional target for the NCW to expand its reach to women who face barriers in accessing justice.
Notably, the NCW's intervention underscores a pattern where statutory bodies have had to step in on honour-based violence cases when local law enforcement responses have been perceived as slow or inadequate.
What Happens Next
State authorities in Uttar Pradesh now have seven days to submit an ATR to the Commission. The NCW's directive covers not just the investigation but also the welfare and legal support framework for the survivor. With forensic evidence preservation flagged as a priority, the pace of the police response will be closely watched by the Commission and civil society organisations.
Point of View
Not a crime of passion, which makes swift forensic preservation critical. Honour-based violence in Uttar Pradesh has seen cyclical media attention without a commensurate reduction in incidents; the real test is whether this case moves beyond an ATR to an actual conviction under the BNS. The Commission's demand for security for both the survivor and her mother also signals a well-founded concern that the threat has not passed.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Shazia in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh?
Shazia, a 19-year-old girl, was allegedly shot in the head by her father, Asin Khan, while she was asleep at their home in Mainpuri, according to media reports. She had reportedly opposed a forced arranged marriage and asserted her right to choose her own partner, which is said to have triggered the attack. She is currently in critical condition at Saifai Medical College.
What action has the National Commission for Women taken?
The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from UP state authorities within seven days. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the UP Director General of Police, demanding a time-bound investigation, forensic evidence preservation, and prosecution under the BNS.
What protections has the NCW sought for Shazia?
The Commission has called for specialised medical treatment, security for both Shazia and her mother, legal assistance, compensation, and expeditious prosecution. These demands were included in Rahatkar's letter to the UP DGP.
What is honour-based violence and why is this case significant?
Honour-based violence refers to acts of violence — including murder or assault — committed against individuals, typically women, perceived to have brought 'dishonour' on their family, often for exercising autonomy over personal choices like marriage. This case is significant because the alleged perpetrator is the victim's own father, the attack was reportedly premeditated, and the survivor is a minor-aged adult asserting a fundamental right.
Which law will be applied in the investigation?
The NCW has asked the UP DGP to take strict action under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India's updated criminal code that replaced the Indian Penal Code. The Commission has also specifically asked for all ballistic and forensic evidence to be preserved.
