Karnal Court Sentences Five Persons to Death in Honour Killing Case

A court in Haryana has sentenced five persons to death in the honour killing case of a couple in 2007, said media reports.

The Karnal court declared the quantum of punishment for six people found guilty of murdering Manoj and Babli for marrying outside their gotra (sub caste), reports said.

The five convict who received death sentence are relatives of the girl and include include her brother Suresh, cousins Gurdev and Satish, uncles Baru Ram and Rajender, said reports.

Ganga Ram, the khap (caste) panchayat leader, was sentenced to life imprisonment, while the driver, who was found guilty of kidnapping, was served seven-year-term, reports said.

Waging a lonely battle for justice, Manoj’s siblings were happy when the verdict came.

Seema, his sister, said that though she was happy with the ruling and the sentencing but wanted even Ganga Ram to be given the death penalty, said reports.

“I am very happy but the life sentence to Ganga Ram is not justified. Even he should have been given death penalty. We have asked the High Court for security cover. As of now there is a lot of police in the village. The decision of the panchayat was not justified and people should not to be allowed to misuse their power. We have fought this battle alone. The society or family did not support us. There was a lot of pressure on us to take back the case. The accused even tried to bribe us to take back the case,” she was quoted as saying.

Narendra, Manoj’s brother, said that they would appeal for death penalty to Ganga Ram, in the High Court, reports said.

“We will appeal in High Court for death penalty to the main accused, Ganga Ram. We respect the court’s decision but main accused Ganga Ram should also have been given death penalty,” Narender was quoted as saying.

Public prosecutor Lal Bahadur welcomed the decision.

“Out of seven accused, five have been given death sentence. One has been given life sentence and one has been given years of imprisonment. Rs 1 lakh as compensation has been ordered by the court to be given to victims’ families,” Bahadur was quoted as saying.

“This is a very good decision. We welcome the decision. This is a strong message to the public and this is a message to the khap,” Bahadur was quoted as saying.

“People will have more confidence in justice. Order has been directed by the court to take action against two policemen for laxity and directions has been given to the SP to take necessary action. This is first of the kind of judgement by court involving khap panchayats,” he was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)