Malda, July 22: A woman who was married three days ago was found strangled to death on an embankment at Puraton Sholomile in Kaliachak this morning.

Ashraful Shiekh married Rashida Bibi (20) against the will of his family members and had been staying at her father’s house in the same village for the past three days.

Around 4am, Ashraful left with his wife for his house, which is less than 600 metres from Rashida’s. The 28-year-old had told the in-laws that he would enter his house well before people woke up, police said.

However, around 6am, villagers spotted the body of a woman lying on the embankment of the Ganga. They immediately informed the Kaliachak police station.

Sagar Saha, the inspector-in-charge of the Kaliachak police station, said the body was found with the dupatta wrung tightly around the neck. “It seems that the dupatta was used to strangle the woman to death. We are looking for her husband who is missing,” Saha said. There were many questions left to be explained in connection with the murder.

Sabina Bibi, who identified her daughter’s body, said Ashraful had told her that they were leaving for his house well before the day-break as he wanted to “surprise his folks at home”.

Still suffering from shock, Sabina said around 7am neighbours broke her the terrible news. “I fail to understand who could kill my daughter. Ashraful was a nice person and we knew him well. He could not have done this ghastly act,” she told the police.

Astaful Sheikh said he was opposed to his son’s marriage largely because Ashraful was yet to be self-reliant. “He got married against our will and then started staying with the girl’s parents. I had told him in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome at my home any more.”

The police said Sheikh told them that ever since his son left home three days ago, he had not seen him. “I cannot tell you where he is but I have also heard that the girl was found murdered.”

Ashraful had been courting Rashida for the past one year. “It is strange and tragic that their friendship ended in this manner,” remarked one of them.

The superintendent of police of Malda district, Stayajit Bandyopadhyay, said Rashida’s family had filed an FIR against Ashraful. “The victim’s uncle has implicated the youth in the woman’s murder. We have begun investigations,” he said.