A couple is on the run after a village panchayat in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh ordered their “honour killing” following complaints from relatives that they had married against their wishes. The kangaroo court’s verdict was announced last month after Jamil, 30 and his wife, Ayesha of Kherka village were produced before the panchayat.
The Baghpat police is keeping a close watch on the developments.
Jamil, who is said to have four children from previous marriage, reportedly eloped with the girl of the same village following stiff opposition from their relatives. The two got married on March 23 and in the meantime the girl’s relatives lodged a case of kidnapping against Jamil. The “groom”, however, got a stay order against his arrest on March 30.
On their return to the village, the couple was presented before the panchayat, which announced the verdict. The panchayat ordered their “honour killing” if they stayed in the village.
Emboldened by the recent verdict of a Haryana court awarding death sentence to five for the “honour killing” of a couple, the Baghpat police is determined not to allow a similar incident. Police said that there is no place in law for such verdicts and indicated that strict action would be taken against the family members, reports added.
