India: Pendant saves woman as brother attempts to kill her

A woman escaped death after her brother allegedly fired at her with a pistol, only for the bullet to ricochet off a pendant she was wearing. The incident occurred on Thursday (7 July) in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

According to reports, Mohammed Nadeem – brother of the victim – a resident of Qureshiyan Colony in Inchauli, Muzaffarnagar district, allegedly hatched a plan to kill his sister, Shabnam, for marrying a man against the wishes of their family.

After offering Eid prayers, the accused headed to Shabnam's house, fired at her and fled the spot thinking she would die of the gun shot. But, fortunately for the victim, a pendant she was wearing bore the brunt of the bullet and she escaped unhurt.

"The woman had recently married a man named Anees against the wishes of her family. Her brother was enraged by the marriage and allegedly shot at her on the morning of Eid," Yogender Malik, a police officer attached with Inchauli police station, said.

"If the locket wasn't where it was, the consequences could have been very different. She was a little hurt but after she came to the police station, we took her to hospital. Doctors said that she is not in a critical condition," said Malik.

The police confirmed that investigations would start and the accused would be detained after a formal complaint is filed by the victim.

"Our first priority was to ensure that Shabnam was unharmed. Once she is back in the police station, we will ask her to file a formal police complaint. An FIR will be registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the accused will be arrested," the officer said.