Man stabs daughter outside Mahakal temple over marriage’s money dispute

Ujjain: A man stabbed his 18-year-old daughter outside Mahakaleshwar temple allegedly over a dispute about her marriage on Friday morning. The victim, Varsha, sells rudraksha beads and other religious items near Gate No 1 of the temple. Her father, Varsan Pardi, attacked her in the crowded area before onlookers could grasp what was happening. He stabbed her in the back and legs and escaped, leaving her injured. Bystanders immediately rushed her to the district hospital.Station in-charge Gagan Badal said Pardi had abandoned Varsha's mother, Mana Bai, 16 years ago. "The accused wanted to get his daughter married as per a practice prevalent in their community, under which a sum of money is received from the groom's side. He was pressuring her to live with him and agree to the marriage," Badal said, adding that the dispute also led to a conflict between the estranged couple.Mana told police that Pardi fixed his daughter's marriage for Rs5 lakh. "Out of greed for money, he was pressuring her to stay with him and agree to the marriage. When she refused, he attacked her," she said.Police have registered a case of attempt to murder and launched a search for the accused.