The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Saturday (May 23, 2026) took suo motu cognisance of reports related to the brutal murder of a teen girl from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh whose mutilated and decapitated body was allegedly found in a train coach at a station in Lucknow.

In a statement, the commission said reports have raised suspicion of a possible "honour killing" or "hate crime" behind the incident.

A man, with the help of his sister and brother-in-law, allegedly killed his 15-year-old daughter over an interfaith relationship.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, directing that an "immediate, impartial and time-bound investigation" be conducted in the matter.

The commission has sought a detailed action taken report (ATR) within seven days.

"The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of extremely horrifying media reports regarding the brutal murder of a woman resident of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

"According to media reports, the woman's mutilated and decapitated body was recovered from a coach of the Chhapra-Gomti Nagar Express at Gomti Nagar Railway Station in Lucknow. The reports have expressed apprehensions of an alleged honour killing or hate crime behind the murder," the statement said.

The NCW has sought details regarding the sections invoked in the FIR, status of arrests and interrogation of suspects, and steps taken to recover the victim's severed head and the weapon used in the crime.

The NCW has further sought information related to CCTV footage, call detail records, forensic evidence and other digital investigation findings.

"The commission has also directed that all aspects related to a possible honour killing or domestic violence angle be thoroughly investigated," it said, adding that the safety of other sensitive members of the victim's family and witnesses be ensured.

Condemning the incident, the NCW said, "Such brutal violence against women is unacceptable under any circumstances and the strictest action must be taken against those responsible."

On May 17, the mutilated torso of the 15-year-old girl was recovered from a trunk inside a coach of the Chhapra-Gomti Nagar Express at Gomti Nagar Railway Station, while her head was later found in a pond in Kushinagar. Police also said the victim's hands and legs were packed separately in polythene bags.

According to police, the man first assaulted his daughter. After she allegedly tried to take her own life, he conspired with his relatives to kill her. Police said he allegedly sent his wife and sons away from home before murdering her.

Police later arrested the man and two other relatives, alleging that the murder was carried out over suspicion of an interfaith relationship.