NEW DELHI: A teenage girl in Maharashtra’s Nanded performed symbolic wedding rituals with the body of her murdered boyfriend, hours after her father and brothers were arrested for allegedly killing him over their inter-caste relationship.Police said 25-year-old Saksham Tate was attacked on Thursday evening in the Juna Ganj area after being called there by the girl’s family members. According to investigators, her brothers Himesh and Sahil Mamilwad, father Gajanan Mamilwad and three others fired at Tate and then smashed his head with a stone slab, killing him on the spot. All accused have been arrested, while a minor was sent to a correctional home. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act and the Arms Act.The girl, identified as Aanchal, arrived at Tate’s home on Friday evening as preparations for the funeral were underway. Eyewitnesses said she broke down beside the body and applied haldi and kumkum in symbolic wedding rites, claiming it would make their love “immortal.” Later telling reporters that they had planned to marry soon. “They killed him brutally, but they lost. My lover won, even in death. I want my father and brothers to be hanged,” she said. Aanchal alleged her family opposed the relationship solely because Tate belonged to a Buddhist community, while her family identified as Hindu. She claimed he had been “threatened continuously” and that the family had been “plotting to eliminate him for weeks.” Relatives said turmeric was also applied to Tate’s body as part of traditional rites. Aanchal told reporters she had severed ties with her family and would now live with Tate’s mother. “I will stay with his mother for the rest of my life. They cannot separate us anymore,” she said.Senior officers said additional security has been deployed to prevent caste tensions and that the investigation is continuing, including the recovery of the weapon and recording Aanchal’s full statement.(With inputs from agencies)