Honour killing: Father claims daughter died of medical reasons

CHANDIGARH - The alleged case of honour killing of a 25-year-old research scholar of Panjab University took a different turn Thursday with the woman’s father claiming she died due to medical complications and he had never objected to her relationship with a man of a lower caste.

However, students of Panjab University here have filed a complaint with the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) alleging that the woman, Shama Shukla, was actually killed by her father and brother for their ‘honour’.

According to the complaint filed by the students’ NGO of the varsity, Shama was murdered by her family at Chamkaur Sahib town in Punjab as she wanted to marry a man of a backward class.

But her family members have strongly denied the allegations.

“My daughter was suffering from epilepsy, gynaecological and thyroid problems and was on medication since 2003. She was depressed since the doctors advised her biopsy for some gynaecological problem,” said Krishan Shukla, the woman’s father, here Thursday.

“She was visiting PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), in Chandigarh, for treatment. I was very proud that she had completed her PhD. Why should we kill her? We had no problem if she wanted to marry any boy of her own choice,” he said.

According to the complaint, Shama, who was living at the university hostel, went to meet her family July 24 to inform them about her plans of marriage. She completed her PhD in Punjabi and had got a job as lecturer in a private college here.

Her family said that Shama died following a heart attack Saturday night and they cremated her Sunday.

The Students’ Human Rights Network president Deepika Gupta said: “This is a clear case of honour killing. Her family did not take her to any hospital. Also, they did not call any doctor home.”