The Delhi police claimed to have contacted one of the girls who had eloped with a youth from a different caste on Sunday, which triggered the tragic triple murder in the name of “honour” in Ashok Vihar area on Sunday.
“We have contacted Khushboo and pledged full support and police protection to her in a case of threat. So far, she has not received any threat and has not asked for any protection,” deputy commissioner of police (northwest) N.S. Bhundela said.
Monika, her husband Kuldeep Singh and her cousin sister Shobha were shot dead, allegedly by Shobha’s brother Mandeep on Sunday evening in a fit of rage in Ashok Vihar area.
The police claimed Mandeep’s youngest sister, identified as Khushboo, had eloped with a youth from a different community which provoked the killings.
While the capital was left shocked by the developments in the case, Narender Singh Khari, the head of Wazirpur village panchayat said that Monika, a Gujjar, had set a wrong precedent by marrying Kuldip, a Rajput.
“This is the first instance when a Gujjar girl not only married in different caste but in the same area. It is strictly banned in our religion. After analysing the situation, we have come to a conclusion that our young generation is totally against these relationships and they don’t accept such marriages. These killings were committed to set an example for those youth, who wish to marry against the wishes of their family,” Khari added
Meanwhile, the deceased Kuldip’s elder brother, Sonu said that they had informed the police about the missing Santro car on Sunday night but the police didn’t act in time.
“This is not the first time that the police is showing laxity in taking action. In 2006, the body of one Viru, who had helped Kuldip and Monika in getting married, was found in a garbage dump with critical head injuries. Ankit and Mandip were behind his murder also. We had lodged a complaint in the Ashok Vihar police station but the police did not take any action.”