A 70-year-old man who opposed the marriage of his 15-year-old granddaughter was bludgeoned to death by his son and the father of the bridegroom in Karenahalli in Bengaluru Rural district.

Police officials told TNM that Eshwarappa was murdered by his son, Kumar, and Subramani, the father of the bridegroom.

The police also revealed that the duo assaulted Eshwarappa after they were angered by his decision to oppose the proposed marriage between Kumar’s daughter, who is a minor, and Subramani’s son. “Eshwarappa had asked them to not go ahead with their plans of conducting the marriage, which was to take place on November 18 and 19,” confirmed Krishnappa, a police official at the Doddaballapura Rural police station.

An anonymous call was made to the Child Helpline which prompted police officials to intervene on Sunday, the proposed day of the wedding, and warn Kumar and Subramani of legal action if they went ahead with the wedding. The girl was taken to a government counselling centre on the same day along with her mother.

The marriage of women below the age of 18 is prohibited in India according to the law.

The actions of Eshwarappa and the police angered Kumar and Subramani, who confronted Eshwarappa on Sunday night. In the confrontation, Kumar hit Eshwarappa’s head with a stone. The incident occurred at around 9.45 pm.

Eshwarappa was rushed to a government hospital but died at 6.40 am on Monday due to the injuries he had sustained. “The hospital authorities delayed informing the local police station about the injuries sustained. They alerted us only after Eshwarappa’s death,” said a police official at Doddaballapura. Police confirmed that the hospital is also under the scanner for failing to inform police officials immediately.

The Doddaballapura Rural police arrested Kumar on Tuesday in connection with the case and are currently searching for Subramani, who is absconding.