Couple seeks protection of Delhi women’s rights panel

NEW DELHI - A couple who got married against the wishes of their parents has approached the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) seeking protection after receiving threat calls from the girl’s family members, an official said Saturday.

Kulbhushan and Nidhi, both in their early 20s, got married at an Arya Samaj temple earlier this week.

The couple approached DCW chairperson Barkha Singh Friday after Nidhi’s uncle and brother demanded she come back.

“Our parents were against our marriage, so we got married without their consent. I received a threat call from her mamaji (maternal uncle) and brother Friday. We decided to approach the women’s commission for protection and I think we are safe now,” said Kulbhushan.

Singh said: “I have written to the Delhi Police asking them to provide protection to the couple. We have also got in touch with the family members of the couple and have asked them to accept their wedding.”

Two cases of honour killings have been reported in the capital in the past 10 days.

A 19-year-old girl and her boyfriend were tortured to death by the woman’s uncle and father in north Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar area June 14.

A man and woman who married four years ago were found murdered in north Delhi’s Ashok Vihar June 20. A day later, the woman’s cousin was also found killed in a car.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Thursday arrested three men - two brothers of the women and their associate - for murdering them.