India, Dec. 1 -- In an act that has shocked the nation, a 21-year-old woman in Maharashtra's Nanded applied vermillion on her forehead using the blood of her slain boyfriend, moments after he was allegedly murdered by her father and brothers over caste differences.

Explaining her move, Aanchal Mamidwar said she wanted to 'marry' her boyfriend Saksham Tate one last time - even if he was no longer alive.

"My family killed him. I married him to make our love immortal," she told reporters.

Speaking to reporters through tears, Aanchal alleged that her family had been threatening Saksham for months because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste.

"We were together for three years. My family never agreed because of caste. They said he must convert ...