Every single day, newspapers and social media platforms confront us with gut-wrenching stories of violence, abuse, and betrayal. Crimes that shake the very foundation of our understanding of relationships and trust are unfolding with alarming regularity. It is impossible not to ask: Is there no value, no respect, no boundary left in human relationships anymore? What is happening to society, to humanity at large, when children, women, and even family bonds are shattered by cruelty and greed?

Recent cases reported from different corners of India paint a terrifying picture of the times we live in. These stories are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing pattern—a mirror reflecting a society struggling with deep fractures.

Case 1: UP Horror – Brother Kills 14-Year-Old Cousin for Resisting Molestation

The first story comes from Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh. Here, the sacred bond of family was shattered in the most horrifying way.

A 19-year-old youth, Samoon, brutally killed his 14-year-old cousin inside their village home in Boudha village under the Chhaprauli police station area. The girl, who lived with her widowed mother and siblings, was alone at home when the incident took place.

Samoon, who reportedly harbored a one-sided obsession with the girl, attempted to molest her. When she resisted, his anger turned murderous. He attacked her with a gas cylinder and then repeatedly struck her with a spade until she died.

The horror did not end there. In an attempt to cover up his crime, Samoon dug a pit inside the house itself, trying to bury her body under soil and wood.

It was only when the victim’s mother returned home from collecting fodder that the gruesome act came to light. She immediately alerted police, leading to Samoon’s arrest.

Police Response

Additional Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh assured the public that strict action would be taken not only against Samoon but also against his accomplices. The police condemned the crime, confirming that all suspects are now in custody and under investigation.

The Bigger Picture

This case underscores a frightening reality—children, especially girls, remain dangerously vulnerable, even within their own homes and families. The victim had already lost her father just four months earlier, making the family even more fragile.

Such incidents expose how unsafe young girls are in rural communities and beyond. They also highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms, child protection measures, and community vigilance.

This was not the only case in recent months. In July 2025, Lucknow witnessed another tragic incident where a seven-year-old girl was killed by her mother and her live-in partner, who then went out partying as if nothing had happened. If parents—the very people entrusted with protecting children—can turn into perpetrators, where does that leave us as a society?

Case 2: “You’re Dark” – Bengaluru Techie Found Dead Amid Dowry and Abuse Allegations

From Uttar Pradesh, we move to Bengaluru, where the case of 27-year-old Shilpa Panchangamath has left people deeply disturbed.

Shilpa, a software professional from Hubballi, was married to Praveen, a former Oracle engineer who quit his corporate career to run a panipuri stall. The couple had been married for nearly three years and had a one-and-a-half-year-old son. At the time of her death, Shilpa was also reportedly pregnant.

She was found dead in her home earlier this week. While initial reports suggested suicide, her family strongly suspects foul play.

Allegations from Family

Shilpa’s uncle, Channabasayya, told reporters that the circumstances of her death suggested murder rather than suicide.

• There was no stool beneath the ceiling fan, making it impossible for her to have hanged herself.

• Her husband had conveniently left town just before her death.

• The family had already spent over ₹35–40 lakh on wedding expenses, 150 grams of gold, and additional cash payments. Recently, they even paid another ₹10 lakh after Praveen allegedly demanded funds for his food business.

Her uncle said bitterly:

“If he didn’t want her, he could have sent her back. Instead, he lied, harassed her, and now we suspect he killed her.”

Dowry Demands and Abuse

Despite the lavish wedding, Shilpa’s mother, Sharada, told police that the harassment never stopped. Six months ago, Praveen’s family demanded ₹5 lakh more for his business. When the money wasn’t given immediately, Shilpa was beaten and sent back home.

When her parents somehow managed to arrange the funds, she returned to her husband’s house—but the abuse continued.

Adding to her suffering was relentless verbal abuse about her complexion. Her mother-in-law allegedly told her:

“You are dark and not a good match for my son. Leave him—we will find him a better bride.”

These cruel words, combined with financial exploitation, pushed Shilpa deeper into despair.

Police Action

The police have registered a case under dowry harassment and unnatural death provisions. An ACP-level officer is overseeing the investigation. Shilpa’s husband and mother-in-law are being interrogated.

This case once again exposes how the toxic practice of dowry, despite being outlawed decades ago, still destroys lives. Beyond the financial greed, the psychological cruelty—body shaming, constant taunts, emotional blackmail—can be just as devastating.

Case 3: 14-Year-Old Girl Abducted and Gang-Raped in Lucknow

In another horrifying crime against minors, a 14-year-old girl was abducted by four men near her home in Lucknow’s Bakshi Ka Talab area.

According to police, the girl had stepped out of her home when the men forced her into a vehicle, took her to a forested stretch, and gang-raped her.

When she failed to return home, her father began searching for her and eventually found her lying unconscious near the forest.

Police have registered a case against the accused, identified as Shiva Singh, Raj, and two others. While some have been named, others remain absconding, and search operations are underway.

This case again emphasizes the unsafe environment for young girls—where even stepping out of their homes can turn into a nightmare.

Case 4: School Teacher Booked for Harassing Minor Girls in Tamil Nadu

Schools are meant to be places of safety and learning. Yet, in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, a 37-year-old government school English teacher shattered that trust.

Three Class 6 girls accused him of inappropriate physical contact. Their parents, enraged and heartbroken, staged a protest at the school and confronted the accused.

The teacher has since been dismissed from service and arrested under the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences).

When teachers—the very people entrusted to guide and nurture young minds—turn predators, it exposes just how deep the moral crisis has become in society.

Case 5: Woman Forced to Drink Acid by In-Laws Over Dowry in Uttar Pradesh

In another shocking case, Gul Fiza, a newly married woman from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, died after enduring unimaginable cruelty.

Just a year into her marriage to Parvez, Gul Fiza faced relentless harassment from her husband and in-laws for dowry.

On August 11, the abuse escalated to an unthinkable level—her in-laws allegedly forced her to drink acid. She was rushed to a hospital in Moradabad, where she fought for her life for 17 days before succumbing to her injuries.

Her father, Furqan, revealed that the harassment had been continuous since her wedding. Following his complaint, police registered a case against Parvez and his family. With her death, authorities have confirmed that murder charges will now be added.

What Do These Cases Reveal About Society?

Reading these cases one after another, one cannot help but feel disturbed, angry, and deeply saddened. The recurring themes are unmistakable:

• Breakdown of family values: Cousins, parents, spouses, and in-laws—the very people meant to protect and nurture—are turning into perpetrators.

• Greed and materialism: Dowry demands, financial exploitation, and obsession with money continue to fuel abuse.

• Misogyny and prejudice: Women are still reduced to their complexion, fertility, or dowry “value.”

• Unsafe environments for children: Whether at home, at school, or in their communities, children are not safe from abuse, harassment, or violence.

Where Is Humanity Headed?

Each of these cases is not just a crime report—it is a brutal reminder of the moral crisis we are facing. The very fabric of society, built on trust, respect, and human dignity, is unraveling.

When brothers kill sisters, when mothers and fathers betray their children, when in-laws force a woman to drink acid, when teachers harass students, and when women are humiliated for their skin color—it is no longer just “law and order” that is in question. It is humanity itself.

We must ask ourselves:

• What values are we passing down to the next generation?

• Why is cruelty becoming so normalized?

• When will society collectively say, enough is enough?

Protecting children, women, and vulnerable communities is not just the responsibility of the police or the judiciary—it is a collective duty. Stronger legal frameworks, quicker justice, social awareness campaigns, community vigilance, and education in empathy and respect are desperately needed.

Until then, every new headline will continue to ask us the same painful question: What is happening to humanity?

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr’s views.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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