A farmer in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh killed his younger sister and cousin after they had eloped and were found in a field in the village. After killing the couple, the man and his friends hanged the two bodies from a tree to make it look like a case of suicide.

Vineet later found out that another of his brother, Kuldeep, had witnessed the entire crime. Six days later he killed Kuldeep as well, reported The Times of India.

Vineet and three of his friends hatched the plan to kill his sister and cousin who had eloped recently and were spotted on the field. The cousin, Bunty, was about to get married when he eloped with his cousin, Sukhiya.

The bodies of Sukhiya and Bunty were found hanging on July 1. Police said prima facie it looked like a case of suicide. But the body of Kuldeep was also found hanging in a similar manner from the same spot days later, which raised the suspicion.

Upon investigation, police reached Vineet and his friends. When interrogated, Vineet admitted to the murders and said that he killed his sister and cousin to “save the family’s honour”. His brother, Kuldeep, who witnessed the act had objected to the crime when Vineet decided to kill him as well.

Police have arrested four, including Vineet, who had paid Rs 2.5 lakh to one of his accomplices to get help in murdering the two.

Police have found the rope that was used to hang the three deceased and also the money from one of the accused.