Students of the Panjab University have filed a complaint with a human rights panel alleging that a 25-year-old woman, who her family said died of heart attack, was actually killed by her father and brother for their ‘honour’.
According to the complaint filed by the students’ NGO of the varsity to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC), Shama Shukla was murdered by her family at Chamkaur Sahib town in Punjab as she wanted to marry a man of a backward class.
Shama, who was a research scholar and was living at the university hostel, went to meet her family Saturday to inform them about her plans of marriage. She completed her PhD in Punjabi and was to as a lecturer in a private college here.
“Shama’s family told us that she died of heart attack Saturday night and was cremated Sunday at 7.30 a.m. Her family did not take her to any hospital. Also, they did not call any doctor home,” Students’ Human Rights Network president Deepika Gupta said here Wednesday.
“They just immediately cremated her without even informing their relatives and neighbours. This was an attempt to destroy evidence. Shama was a strong girl and she did not have any history of heart-related ailments,” she said.
“This is a clear case of honour killing,” Deepika added.
Deepika said Shama’s father Krishan Shukla and brother Mohit Shukla “mixed some poisonous substance in her food as they were against her decision of marriage with a backward class man. This is a cold-blooded murder and police should immediately arrest the culprits”.
However, no complaint has been filed with the police so far.
In the written complaint, the students demanded registration of case against Shama’s family
I think this is really an honour killing and they must be punished like a murder case. We are losing India’s wealth (youngster). We should protect them for grooming the future of India.
I think this is really an honour killing and they must be punished like a murder case. We are losing India’s wealth (youngster). We should protect then for grooming the future of India.