Couple die in ‘honour killing’
2010-06-15 12:06
New Delhi - New Delhi police said on Tuesday they had arrested the father and uncle of a woman found stabbed, gagged and electrocuted along with her boyfriend in an apparent gruesome case of "honour killing".
Asha Saini, 19, was found dead on Tuesday in northwest Delhi in a low-income neighbourhood, along with her 19-year-old boyfriend Yogesh Kumar, whom she wanted to marry despite objections from her family, according to reports.
"When we found the bodies, the couple's legs and hands were tied and they were bleeding," said deputy commissioner of Delhi police NS Bundela at a news conference in the capital.
"The couple was electrocuted as well, but we will wait for the full post-mortem report."
He added that the father and uncle of the woman had been arrested, "but three suspects still remain at (large)".
Family matter
The Hindustan Times newspaper recounted claims from neighbours that they rushed to the house where the couple were being held, but were turned away by the woman's uncle claiming that a family matter was being discussed.
There are no official figures for the number of "honour killings" in India, but social activists say hundreds of young men and women die every year - especially in northern states such as Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Most are either driven to suicide or are killed by family members for daring to marry outside their caste and bringing "dishonour" on their communities.
The killings - carried out by family members or outraged villagers - often have the tacit approval of village councils that wield considerable political clout.