Table of contents
Introduction
We normally state that we live for ourselves, our families, and our loved ones. But in the real world, we live for "chaar log". You may be thinking about the names and relationships of those chaar individuals, but the odd thing is that you have no idea who they are or even if they exist, yet we still live for them. We call that "chaar log" society.;
These two words have had a significant influence on our lives. "Char log kya sochege", "chaar log kya kehenge", "chaar logo k barre main b socho", these phrases have now become such a crucial part of our lives that we would go to any length to fit them in. As a result, crimes such as honour killings have proliferated around the world.
"Hamare Ghar ki Izzat," I believe, is an adequate term to convey the core cause of this horrible murder. Honour killing refers to the execution of women or men by their own family members for marrying against their wishes or having a pre-marital relationship, marrying within the same gotra or marrying beyond their caste.
Other things, such losing one's virginity before being married, might also contribute to honour killings. The key factor leading to this horrible crime is people's unwillingness to accept the reality that their children can marry according to their own preferences, whether within or beyond their caste or religion. It is not always about caste or religion; there are occasions where families murder their own individuals just because they do not want the stigma of love marriage. When their daughters marry according to their own preferences, their so-called "izzat" lessens. They place the load of their izzat on their daughter's shoulders. These folks are so self-righteous that they take joy in consuming alcohol and engaging in domestic violence.
Certain households in India require their girls to solely study and not leave the house except to attend to school, and then finish their education and marry the person picked by their family. They do not value their daughters' decisions, nor do they seek their advice on their marriage. Where having male contacts is regarded as a sin, and where girls are advised to do everything after marriage. Marriage seemed to be the sole way to their independence.
Honour killing is essentially a murder committed by family members. It is the filthy behaviour of the members who are concerned with the purity of their family rather than the life of one. It is done to remove the humiliation and shame caused by a family member. The male member or any family member murders the one who appears to love the individual who does not fit their social position. We may also claim that it is a pre-planned murder motivated mostly by caste and religion.
We achieved our freedom, and today, after more than 75 years, some adults consider the cast to be far superior than a child's life. India is a democratic country in which every individual has the right to equality as well as the right to life. However, we can see that caste, society, and people's narrow-minded thinking contributed to this heinous act of honour killing.
Most of the time, triggers for these kinds of behaviours come from friends, neighbours, or other members of the community who make the accused feel humiliated or triggered. Women have shown to be equal to men all across the world, yet when it comes to honour killings, females are disproportionately targeted for sexual and marital transgressions. In this case, everyone who should be supporting that particular member is opposed to her, which creates a condition in which they should not exist.
In the modern day, caste and status are the primary motivators for honour killing. This research aims to educate the public and highlight the gravity of the crime of honour killing.
Definitions
Human Rights Watch defines "honour killings" as follows:
Honour crimes are acts of violence, generally murder, performed by male family members against female family members who are thought to have brought the family dishonour. A woman's family might attack her for a variety of reasons, including refusing to get into an arranged marriage, being the victim of a sexual assault, seeking a divorce (even from an abusive husband), or committing adultery. The mere notion that a woman has acted in a way that may bring "dishonour" to the family is enough to set off an assault.
Men can also be victims of honour killings, which can be done by members of a woman's family with whom they are thought to have an improper connection, or by members of their own families, the latter of which is frequently linked to homosexuality.
'Honour killings are common in rural India, particularly in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. However, such situations are not limited to rural areas. They are also known in our capital and in southern states such as Kerela, Tamil Nadu, and others. The Aarushi Talwar case and the murders of Kuldeep and Monica are said to be examples of similar homicides.
Our country has been highly selective in its growth. On a global scale, it appears that 'India is shining', with the nuclear accord, the approx. 8% growth rate, and the recognition India is gaining to speak its view. But delve further into this burgeoning nation's dark secrets, and we uncover serial executions of young couples by their own family members to defend their honour as a result of the couple's incest. Their offence was living in the same community and marrying.
Marriage between persons from the same village is deemed incest by the 'traditional' khap panchayat since they are siblings, and hence these weddings are invalid. As a result, the panchayat orders the couple's murder and hangs their bodies in the village crossing as a warning to other out of control couples.
Women are regarded property and the vessel of family honour in India's patriarchal society. And any conduct that may tarnish the family's reputation gives the male members the full right to murder the girl, rectify her wrongs, and restore the family's honour.
Such crimes and criminals have proliferated with the political blessings of political parties primarily interested in the vote banks of these areas and the backing of the khap panchayat.
General Characteristics
Many honour killings are arranged by numerous family members, often in a formal "family council." The fear of murder is used to regulate behaviour, particularly around sexuality and marriage, which may be viewed as an obligation that some or all family members must uphold. Family members may feel forced to intervene in order to protect the family's image in the community and prevent disgrace or shunning, especially in close-knit societies. Perpetrators are frequently not stigmatised in their communities since their actions are considered as legitimate.
Key reasons
for honour killings
1. Refusal to enter into an arranged or forced marriage
The refusal of a planned or forced marriage is sometimes the reason of an honour killing. If the marriage does not go through and the spouse is involved in a relationship with another person without the knowledge of the family members, the family that prepared the marriage faces dishonour.
2. Looking for a divorce
Honour killings can also be triggered by a woman seeking to secure a divorce without the agreement of her husband/extended family. In societies where marriages are arranged and things are frequently transferred between families, a woman's wish to divorce is sometimes regarded as an affront to the men who brokered the agreement. The ladies are considered as exposing the family to public dishonour by making their marital issues known outside the family.
3. Rumours and allegations regarding a family member
An allegation against a woman in some cultures can be enough to ruin her family's reputation and spark an honour killing: the family's fear of being shunned by the community is tremendous.
4. Rape victims
Victims of rape risk severe abuse from their family and relatives in many cultures, including honour murders. Women who have been raped by males are believed to have brought 'dishonour' or 'disgrace' to their family. This is particularly true if the victim becomes pregnant.
A woman's virginity is central to the code of honour in many countries and must be kept until marriage.
5. Sexual orientation
There is evidence that homosexuality might be seen as a reason for honour killing by family members. It is not simply same-sex sexual actions that cause violence; improper gender expression can also generate suspicion and lead to honour violence.
Antigay "honour" abuse received stronger support in four examined Asian nations (India, Iran, Malaysia, and Pakistan) and among Asian British people. According to the 2019 survey, women and younger individuals are less inclined to condone such "honour" violence. Muslims and Hindus were far more likely to approve of "honour" abuse than Christians or Buddhists, who scored the lowest of the religious groups studied.
6. Prohibited male companions
In many honor-based civilizations, a lady keeps her honour by being modest. Even if the relationship is voluntary, a male who violates a woman's modesty by dating her or having intercourse with her (particularly if her virginity has been lost) has dishonoured the lady. As a result, in order to restore the woman's lost honour, male members of her family may frequently beat and murder the perpetrator. Because honour feud assaults are perceived as family disagreements, violence sometimes spreads to the offender's family members.
7. Relationships outside of caste
Some cultures have very strong caste social systems, which are based on social stratification. India's caste system is one such example. In such societies, it is typically assumed that one marries and establishes close relationships solely with people of one's own caste, avoiding lower castes. When these principles are broken, violence, including honour murders, can occur.
8. Socialisation outside of the homes
Women are expected to play predominantly domestic roles in various societies. Such notions are frequently founded on practises such as purdah. Purdah is a religious and social practise of female seclusion that is common in various Muslim and Hindu communities; it frequently demands women to stay indoors, the avoidance of male-female socialisation, and full body covering of women. When these standards are broken, such as by clothing inappropriately or acting disobediently, the family may retaliate with violence up to honour murders.
9. Religious renunciation or change, as well as interfaith ties
Religious doctrine violations, such as changing or rejecting faith, can lead to honour murders. Some nations have laws that encourage such ideas: blasphemy is punished by death in Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia, and by imprisonment in many others.
Refusing to wear clothing connected with a culture or religion, such as the burqa, or otherwise opting to wear 'foreign' or 'western' apparel can lead to honour murders.
Causes
Honour murders are caused by a variety of variables, many of which interact with one another.
1. Attitued towards women
Honour killings are frequently the outcome of deeply sexist attitudes towards women and their place in society. Women are considered property. As a result, they must bow to male authority figures in the household, or face serious violence. Violence is viewed as a means to ensure conformity and avoid a revolt. Women are not allowed to control their bodies or sexuality in such cultures: these are the property of the males of the family, the father (and other male relatives) who must ensure virginity until marriage; and then the husband to whom his wife's sexuality is subordinated—a woman must not undermine her guardian's ownership rights by engaging in premarital sex or adultery.
2. Honour and shame cultures
In many societies across the world, the notion of family honour is immensely significant. Honour killings are widely reported in the Middle East and South Asia, but they also occur in Brazil, Canada, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Egypt, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries.
Managing reputation is a key social ethic in honour cultures. Men are expected to be forceful and intolerant of disrespect, while women are expected to remain chaste and faithful to their families. An affront to your personal or family honour must be responded to, otherwise the stain of dishonour will touch many people in the family and the larger society. Such crimes frequently involve feminine behaviours relating to sex outside of marriage or a certain manner of attire, but they can also include male homosexuality (as in the emo killings in Iraq). The family may lose communal esteem and be alienated by relatives. They believe that the only way to remove shame is through an honour killing. Honour killings occur in "collectivist cultures," in which the family is more important than the individual and individual autonomy is viewed as a danger to the family and its honour.
3. Suicide through coercion as a replacement
A forced suicide might be used in place of an honour killing. In this situation, the victim's family members do not murder him or her directly, but instead push him or her to commit suicide in order to avoid punishment. Suicides of this nature are said to be widespread in southern Turkey.
4. Restoring honour through compulsion marriage
If an unmarried lady or girl associates with a man, loses her virginity, or is raped, her family may strive to restore its honour with a "shotgun wedding." The groom is normally the guy who has 'dishonoured' the lady or girl, but if this is not feasible, the family may try to arrange a marriage with another man, frequently a man from the man who has performed the crimes with the woman or girl's extended family. The lady or girl has no choice but to accept the marriage as an alternative to an honour killing. The man's family is supposed to comply and furnish a groom.
5. Religion
The Assembly states that whereas so-called "honor crimes" derive from cultural and not religious foundations and are perpetrated worldwide (particularly in patriarchal nations or groups).
Who is the victim of an honour killing?
It is worth noting that not just
women but even men can be victims of
honour murders. Honour killing includes both male and female victims. Whoever
it is, men or women, chastity is the issue. If the chastity is slain, the
individual who violated the chastity is held accountable and is murdered. There
is a difficulty because of elopement or an unlawful connection between a boy
and a girl, which is illegal under their own legislation
In most honour killing instances, the girl refuses to accept her culpability. Sometimes the girl's family member conceals proof of honour killing. The girl's family holds the man responsible. They kill the man, claiming that the lady was raped, despite the fact that he is her boyfriend.
India's practise of honour killing
It has been practised in India from ancient times. Those who performed inter-caste marriages or married to people of different religions are shamed.
This form of action is both violent
and illegal. In India, where we have the
world's largest constitution and democracy to have fundamental rights including
the right to life, a study demonstrates that honour killing has become a
widespread crime.
International Reaction
Honour murders are prohibited under the Istanbul Convention, the first legally enforceable international document against violence against women. Countries shown in green on the map are signatories to the convention and, as such, are required to prohibit honour murders.
Honour murders are considered a major violation of human rights and are addressed by a number of international treaties.
Honour murders are condemned by UN General Assembly Resolution 55/66 (issued in 2000) and subsequent resolutions, which have resulted in a number of reports.
Article 42 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combat of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence covers this subject.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) addressed honour killings, stating that "murders of women to save the family honour' are among the most tragic consequences and explicit illustrations of embedded, culturally accepted discrimination against women and girls."
"Honour crimes, including murder," according to the UNODC, "are one of history's oldest forms of gender-based violence." It is assumed that a woman's behaviour reflects on the family and the community. In certain tribes, a father, brother, or cousin will take public delight in a murder committed to preserve the 'honour' of a family. Local court officials in certain situations may side with the family and take no formal action to avoid similar fatalities."
Human Rights Declaration of the United Nation
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as stated in Articles 3 and 5, guarantees all humans equal dignity and rights. It prohibits honour killing, a violation of human rights, as it violates the right to life, liberty, and personal security for women. The Universal Declaration also prohibits torture and cruel treatment in human treatment, including humiliating practices in the name of culture and custom. The principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including universality, equality, non-discrimination, and interdependence, govern human rights. The desire to restore family dignity often motivates honour killings, as they deny women the opportunity to participate in life's joys, highlighting the interconnected nature of human rights and justice.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) aim to ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women. The CEDAW emphasizes the importance of women's contributions to family wellbeing and society's development, as well as the social importance of motherhood and the role of both parents in family upbringing. Honor killing, as prohibited by the UDHR, is a major issue, with the majority of such killings being horrific and involving torture. Torture is defined as any act causing significant pain or suffering intentionally inflicted on a person for obtaining information, punishing them, intimidating or coercing them, or for any other prejudice-based cause.
The Legal Role
Violation of the Constitution
Honour killing is the most serious crime, because it is a blatant violation of fundamental rights and laws. The Indian Constitution is the most significant document for protecting Indian people' rights. Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 15( 1 ) and 15( 3 ) (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Religion, Caste, Creed, Sex, or Place of Birth), Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability), Free speech and expression are protected by Article 19( 1 ) and the right to life and personal liberty is protected by Article 21.
Honour crimes are mostly committed against women, with men constituting a lesser proportion of the victims. Women and men have the right to express themselves freely, which leads to restrictions and, as a result, more honour crimes and abuses of basic human rights. Acting in this manner is clearly unconstitutional.
The Democratic Principles of State Policy (DPSP) cannot be implemented, but they may be researched to improve the country's administration. Article 39(A) maintains the security of the state and protects it from losing its source of revenue. In every other scenario, however, honour crimes deprive the majority of women. Article 39 (e) and (f) protect children and teens against exploitation. As a result of traditional practises such as honour killing, many young individuals and married couples are exploited. As a result, it is the obligation of the government to protect these vulnerable individuals and their lives from this horrible behaviour.
Penal Codes in the Indian Penal Code
Section 299-304: These provisions penalise culpable homicide that is not murder, a felony punishable by life in prison, the death penalty, or a fine. If there is no death as a result of culpable murder, the penalty is 10 years in prison and a fine.
Section 307: Under this law, attempting to kill is punished by up to 10 years in prison and a fine. If the victim is harmed, their sentence could be life in prison.
Section 308: Under this law, attempted culpable homicide is punishable by three years in prison, a fine, or both. Furthermore, if the person is hurt, the penalty can be up to 7 years in prison, a fine, or both.
Sections 120A and B: This section punishes participants in a plot.
Sections 107-116: These sections penalise aiding and abetting crimes like murder or culpable homicide.
Sections 34 and 35: This section criminalises criminal action committed by a group of people with a common aim.
Section 300 of the IPC introduces the "5th" clause, which divides "murder" into four types. Under the new notion, honour killings would constitute a distinct crime.
1875 Indian Majority Act
Unless the statutes say otherwise, each individual resident in India achieves the age of majority when they reach the age of 18 years, according to Section 3 of the Indian Majority Act of 1875. In contrast, a child's guardian must be at least 21 years old, not 18. The Act applies when the Khap Panchayat forcefully separates married couples who were otherwise entitled to such a marriage owing to age or other considerations. This looks to be against the law.
Act of 1989 for the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes
This law was introduced by the Indian Parliament to discourage violence against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The idea was to assist Dalits integrate more fully into Indian society.
The following are offences under this Act:
1. Compelling a SC/ST to consume or drink something they do not wish to eat or drink.
2. Undress, show nude or with a painted face or body.
3. To offend, degrade, or outrage a woman's modesty. SC/ST sexual assault on a lady
4. Because there have been multiple honour killings, it is prohibited to compel a SC/ST person to leave their home or community.
The Special Marriage Act
A bill has been filed in parliament to amend the Indian criminal law, the Special Marriage Act, and the Indian Evidence Act. In 2015, the special marriage legislation was modified to include requirements for a 30-day notice period for weddings performed under the act. Because the method we are pursuing is a bit lengthier, the appropriate changes to the Special Marriage Act of 1954 are required. The complete procedure takes around 45 days. Because they are vulnerable at this time, the couple may be assaulted or killed, a condition known as "honour."
The Indian Evidence Act
The requirements of the Indian Evidence Act have been modified, and the accused now bears the burden of evidence. As a result, the khap panchayat or family members will have to establish their innocence.
Landmark Cases
1. The Manoj-Babli Case ( 2007 )
Manoj and Babli, who had eloped and married, were murdered. The family expressed outrage and took the issue to the Khap Panchayat, which first ruled that everybody who had contact with the victim would have to pay 25,000 rupees. Due to the victims' distinct castes, the Khap Panchayat was opposed to the marriage.
The Khap Panchayat's relatives were complicit in the murder, including Babli's grandfather. Despite being the Khap chief, they abducted and slaughtered the victims. The court sentenced five of the murder's perpetrators to life in prison, making this the first life sentence in an honour killing case. The driver who was engaged in the kidnapping was sentenced to seven years in jail. Honour killing is regarded as the most heinous offence.
2. TIRUPATI honour killing, Februray 20, 203
In February, a man in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, allegedly killed his daughter, cut off her, and disposed of her body parts in an honour killing. Prasanna Reddy, 21, had fallen in love with a local of a different caste from her own. Prasanna was married to a relative and sent to live in another area after her family disapproved.
However, on one of her travels to her native village, Prasanna never returned to her in-laws, arousing suspicions among her family members. Furthermore, discussion of her love affair enraged her father, who believed she was bringing dishonour to the family.
3. ROHTAK honour killing, Februray 2023
In a recent example of honour killing, a 20-year-old lady was brutally murdered and cremated by her family in Rohtak's Rithal Narwal village. Divya, who married in February, was having disagreements with her in-laws and returned to her village to be with her family.
Prior to her marriage, Divya had fallen in love with a lad from her village, but her family did not approve of the connection. Following Divya's marriage, the young man, along with some other youngsters, assaulted the girl's husband, causing the marriage to fail.
When Divya's family found out, they murdered her and burned her body to remove any proof. Despite their attempts to pass the case off as a suicide, police investigation found bones from the scene.
4. UP honour killing, May 2023
In a suspected case of honour killing, a man took his niece out of her house in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur and cut her neck for eloping and marrying a man of a different caste.
According to NP Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sitapur, the 20-year-old lady had an affair with Roop Chandra Maurya, a married local.
After the lady and Maurya were married in court last November and went to the village, the woman's uncle, Shyamu Singh, arrived at the couple's home and took the woman out. According to the officer, he slit her neck with a sickle.
According to the officer, he slit her neck with a sickle. Shyamu Singh turned himself in at the Pisavan police station, along with the murder weapon, according to NP Singh. According to PTI, Singh stated that he killed her because she had eloped and married a man who was already married and from a different caste.
5. PUNJAB honour killing, May 2023
Manpreet Kaur, 25, and her supposed lover, 30-year-old Gurdeep Singh, were discovered dead in Thikriwala village in Punjab's Barnala district in May of this year. A police investigation found that Singh was brutally murdered by Manpreet's father and brother when he came to see Manpreet at her residence on a specific night.
The pair had supposedly been together for a long time, and when Bhola Singh and his son Sukhbir Singh discovered out, they assaulted the guy with a sharp-edged instrument and murdered him. Manpreet was also strangled to death.
Singh's corpse was discovered in a little sewage drain outside Bhola Singh's residence, while Manpreet's body was discovered on the charpoy within the house's balcony.
6. KARNATAKA honour killing, June 2023
On June 9, a farmer from Tumakuru, Karnataka, was arrested for reportedly killing his 17-year-old daughter in an honour killing. Nethravathy, the victim, was Parashuram's lone daughter out of three. Parashuram, a Schedule Tribe (ST) community member, was a local leader with clout in the community.
Nethravathy, who attended a public university, was in a relationship with a lad from the scheduled caste, according to the police investigation. After discovering of her connection, the victim's family terminated her schooling and had her engaged to another guy. However, Nethravathy quickly fled her house and was apprehended and returned on June 8. Furious for causing disrespect to the family, they attempted to force-feed her pesticide to make it appear as though she had committed herself.
When she resisted and refused to swallow the pesticide, Parashuram strangled her and then burned her body in their field to cover up the crime, according to the authorities.
7. BAREILLY on August 14, 2023
A 17-year-old girl was shot dead by her father, Ramesh Chandra, in an alleged honour kiling because he "objected to her relationship with a local villager." Her elder brother, Aadesh Kumar, then pushed her corpse from the roof to make it appear to be an "accidental fall," according to the police.
"On Friday, the incident occurred in Fardhan village, Kheri district." The corpse was taken for a postmortem on Saturday after neighbours reported foul play. The preliminary report confirmed that "the victim died as a result of a bullet injury." An FIR was filed under relevant IPC provisions against Ramesh and his son. The autopsy findings showed it was murder, and the accused were sentenced to prison after confessing to the crime."
8. PRAYAGRAJ, August 27
In a suspected instance of honour killing, a 16-year-old girl was axed to death on Saturday morning by her father and two brothers in Muzaffarpur Tikri village under the jurisdiction of Sarai Akil police station in Kaushambi, police said.
"The girl's family appeared to be opposed to her relationship with a youth from a different caste," they claimed. The father, Malkhan Singh, and two brothers, Radhay Shyam Singh and Ghan Shyam Singh, have been detained.The girl's mother has also been arrested for concealing information.
Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, Superintendent of Police (Kaushambi), reported that a girl in Kaushambi was allegedly killed by her elder brother after she allegedly talked to a 22-year-old youth of different caste. The incident was reported by her family members, who had asked her to stay away from the youth. The case was lodged under section 302 of IPC, and the body has been sent for a postmortem. The incident highlights the need for police intervention in such cases.
9. NEW DELHI, 6 September 2023
Four men, including Ankit Chaudhary, were convicted in three murders in Ashok Vihar, Delhi, over a decade ago. Ankit Chaudhary murdered his sister Monika and brother-in-law Kuldeep Singh in honour murders motivated by caste. Ankit was opposed to their love marriage since Monika was a Gujjar and Kuldeep was a Rajput. Mandeep Nagar, who had also assisted Ankit, murdered Shobha, a lady who had eloped with her lover.
In 2006, Kuldeep and Monika chose to marry because they were in love. Monika's family and the local Gujjar community were said to be embarrassed by her actions. The couple left Ashok Vihar because they were concerned about their safety.
They returned to Ashok Vihar four years later, when they believed the situation had calmed down.
"The creature of illusionary honour and hatred was again awakened," the statement declared. This time, Mandeep's sisters Khushboo and Shobha eloped with their lovers. Despite Shobha's later return, the neighbourhood thought Shobha and Khushboo had continued Kuldeep and Monika's legacy. The community resolved to "set an example of Kuldeep and Monika, so that nobody would dare to repeat the same conduct in the future," the decree declared.
Ankit had also warned Kuldeep that he would face repercussions for fostering a love marriage culture in the society. Kuldeep had informed his family of the threats.
Monika's younger brother went to offer her dinner on June 20, 2010. He discovered her in a pool of blood and notified their father. Kuldeep was absent, and calls to his phone went unanswered. Fearing that something was wrong, many individuals scoured the area and discovered Kuldeep's body in a vehicle. Shobha's decaying body was discovered in a vehicle two days later.
The court will declare the amount of penalty on October 7.
10. MEERUT, 12 September 2023
Villagers discovered a skull, some bones, and jewellery bits in a distant wooded region of Narsena village in Bulandshahr.
The bones were removed for forensic investigation, and a study of local police records revealed a possible match with Kajal, 22, the daughter of Jairam Lodhi, who had been missing for three months.
The first probe revealed troubled connections between Kajal and her father, who was held by police. During questioning, he acknowledged to the crime.
'According to the CO, Jairam expressed frustration with his daughter's activities, saying she routinely left home without warning. He thought she was tainting the family's reputation. He wanted Kajal to marry a man of his choice, but she refused.
In June, Jairam and the other accused kidnapped Kajal, carried her to the Narsena jungles, and strangled her. "Over three months, wildlife and natural forces reduced her remains to the skull and a few bones," Kumar explained.
11. KANPUR, 12 September 2023
In a suspected honour killing, a man was allegedly kidnapped and murdered hours after his wife gave birth to a newborn boy in the Etawah district's Civil Line region. According to reports, the man had a love marriage with a woman from his own community. The woman's family members were enraged after the marriage. As a result, they were both residing in Pune.
The mother gave birth to a newborn boy on Friday. The woman decided to share the good news with her family and notified her elder sister.
Her sister, on the other hand, covertly passed on the newborn's photo to their father. After that, the woman's family members arrived to the district hospital and, under the guise of an outing, abducted her husband, drove him to a deserted location, and strangled him to death. In response to a complaint, police detained and imprisoned 'lady Roshni's father, brother, brother-in-law, and elder sister for murder conspiracy.
12. KAITHAL, 16 September 2023:
Haryana police have charged a husband-wife team with the suspected honour killing of their daughter (21) following her purported love connection with a Hisar-based teenager.
According to reports, the crime was perpetrated after a young man went missing after arriving in Kalayat town on September 14 to see his female friend. (On the same day, her parents discovered her love affair when they witnessed her preparing an elopement and allegedly beat her. She was not permitted to leave the house after that, and she was eventually slain.
They then burned her in secrecy in the village.
13. HYDERABAD, 20 September 2023
In a 'crime of honour kiling' of an 18-year-old migrant worker from Bihar in Keshampat on the city outskirts, police arrested five people, including two juvenile offenders.
The suspects were apprehended in Addank. The deceased was employed in a poultry farm in the Nizampet region of the Siddipet district. He falls in love with his 16-year-old niece, whose family also worked at the farm, while working in Nizampet.
In May, the worker eloped with the girl, and authorities filed an abduction charge against him. The matter was later closed when the girl provided a statement. The girl's family thereafter relocated to Keshampet mandal.
On the night of August 15, family members of the girl confronted him in Keshampet. "The girl's father, along with four others, pressed his face into the mud of the paddy fields and killed him," said Shadnagar ACP Ranga Swamy.
14. DAREHANGA, 27 September 2023
The 26-year-old female was reportedly lulled into falling in love with the boy by her family members. On Monday, the event occurred in the Azamnagar neighbourhood of Darbhanga, within the jurisdiction of the LNMU police station. Her body, with her neck slashed, was discovered discarded in their house's room. Her family members had fled after shutting the door.
According to police, Archana's family members and relatives were waiting for the sunset to dispose of her corpse secretly. According to authorities, an attempt is being made to apprehend the perpetrators.
Archna Kumari, Suraj Mahto's daughter, was allegedly murdered after family members observed her with the boy Monday afternoon after warning the girl beforehand.
That enraged them, and they reportedly murdered the girl, an Intermediate student. Neighbours suspected foul play by the evening and called the cops. Police arrived on the scene and contacted the ward councillor. After breaking the latch, they entered the residence and discovered the girl's body on the floor.
Recommendations of the Supreme Court on honour killings:
In the case of 'Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, (2018),' a group filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, allowing the Supreme Court the ability to establish regulations to combat the problem of honour killings. The court finalised the ruling by creating regulations after a thorough debate of the evil.
Directions
The court provided broad outlines and modalities, allowing the executive and police administrations of the affected states free to take additional steps to construct a workable organisation to achieve the stated objectives.
I. Preventive Measures:
( a ) State administrations should quickly identify Districts, Sub-Divisions, and/or Villages where honour killings or Khap Panchayat assemblies have occurred in the recent past, e.g., within the last five years.
( b ) The Secretary of the Home Department of the concerned State shall issue directives/advice to the Superintendent of Police to ensure that the Officer Incharge in the identified areas is extra cautious if any instance of inter-caste or interreligious marriage is brought to their attention within their jurisdiction.
( c ) If any police officer or District Administration officer discovers of an expected Khap Panchayat meeting, he must promptly alert his immediate senior officer, as well as the jurisdictional Deputy Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police.
( d ) Upon receiving such information, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (or such senior police officer as identified by the State Governments with respect to the area/district) shall immediately interact with members of the Khap Panchayat and impress upon them that convening such a meeting/gathering is illegal and should be avoided.
In addition, he must provide appropriate orders to the Officer in Charge of the jurisdictional Police Station to stay vigilant and, if necessary, to use strong police force to prevent the expected gathering from occurring.
( e ) Regardless of such measures, if the meeting is held, the Deputy Superintendent of Police must personally attend and impress upon the assembly that no decision can be made that will cause harm to the couple or the couple's family members, failing which each participant in the meeting, other than the organisers, will be personally liable for criminal prosecution. He must also ensure that video records of the assembly's debate and participation are made available so that law enforcement can take necessary action.
( f ) If the Deputy Superintendent of Police believes, after communicating with members of the Khap Panchayat, that the gathering cannot be prevented and/or is likely to cause harm, he shall immediately submit a proposal to the District Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the District/ Competent Authority of the concerned area for issuing orders to take preventative steps under the Cr.P.C.
( g ) The Home Department shall take the lead and work with state governments to educate law enforcement agencies and include all stakeholders in establishing preventive measures and fulfilling the constitutional aim of social justice and the rule of law.
( h ) An institutional mechanism should be in place, with proper coordination of all stakeholders. The different state governments, as well as the federal government, should work on sensitising law enforcement officials to require social initiatives and awareness to decrease such violence.
II. Remedial Actions:
( a ) Despite the precautions taken by the State Police, if it comes to the attention of the local police that the Khap Panchayat has met and passed any directive to take action against a couple/family of an inter-caste or inter-religious marriage (or any other marriage that does not meet their acceptance), the jurisdictional police official shall immediately lodge an F.I.R. under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sect.
( b ) Upon registration of an F.I.R., notification shall be sent to the Superintendent of Police/Deputy Superintendent of Police, who shall ensure that an efficient investigation of the crime is conducted and brought to a logical conclusion as soon as possible.
( c ) In addition, immediate actions should be made to offer protection to the couple/family and, if required, to relocate them to a secure place within the same area or elsewhere while keeping their safety and danger perception in mind. For this aim, the State Government may consider creating a safe house at each District Headquarter. These safe homes can accommodate- ( i ) young bachelor-bachelorette couples whose families/local community/Khaps reject their relationship ( ii ) young married couples (of an inter-caste, inter-religious, or any other marriage that their families/local community/Khaps condemn). Such safe homes may be put under the jurisdiction of the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police.
( d ) The District Magistrate or Police Superintendent must handle the complaint regarding the threat made against such a couple or family with the utmost tact. To begin with, it is important to confirm that the bachelor and bachelorette are mature adults. After that, if necessary, logistical help may be given to them so they may legally register their marriage and/or have it solemnised, all while being protected by the police, if they like.
If the couple desires it, they can stay in the safe home after the wedding for a minimal fee, initially for a period of one month that can be extended on a monthly basis but cannot exceed one year overall, based on their danger assessment on a case-by-case basis.
( e ) In the event that the District Magistrate or Superintendent of Police receives information from an independent source indicating that the couple's marriage or relationship is being opposed by their family, community, or Kappa, they will designate an officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police to handle the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by the couple (a young married couple or a bachelor and bachelorette).
He will make a preliminary investigation to determine the veracity, nature, and seriousness of the perceived danger. When he is certain in the veracity of such threats, he must send a report right away to the Superintendent of Police within a week.
( f ) Upon receiving the complaint, the District Superintendent of Police must instruct the Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of the affected subdivision to file an F.I.R. against the person or individuals threatening the couple and, if required, to rely on Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police should also personally oversee the investigation's progress to ensure that it is completed as quickly as feasible and that it makes sense. All parties concerned, including assembly members, will be detained during the investigation. Members of the Khap Panchayat will be charged with conspiracy or abetment, as appropriate, if their involvement is found out.
III. Punitive Actions:
( a ) Any failure to follow the aforementioned directions by either the police or district officer/officials will be considered a deliberate act of negligence and/or misconduct, for which departmental action under the service rules must be taken. The departmental action must be started and carried out by the authority of the first instance until its logical end, preferably within six months.
( b ) In accordance with the Court's ruling, the States are obligated to discipline the relevant authorities if it is found that: Despite having knowledge of the situation beforehand, either ( i ) this official(s) failed to stop it, or ( ii ) Where the event had already happened, the official(s) in question failed to quickly detain the offenders and launch legal action.
( c ) To gather petitions and reports of harassment and threats against inter-caste marriage couples, the State Governments would set up Special Cells in each district. These cells will be manned by the Superintendent of Police, the District Social Welfare Officer, and the District Adi-Dravidar Welfare Officer.
( d ) These Special Cells will set up a 24-hour hotline to take complaints, file them, and offer the couple protection and other necessary support.
( e ) Criminal cases involving violence against the spouse or honour killing will be tried in the Fast Track Court or specialised Court established for that specific purpose. Daily sessions of the trial are required, and it must be finished within six months of the day the crime was taken into consideration. To achieve a timely resolution, the appropriate District Judge will assign those cases, to the maximum degree possible, to a single jurisdictional court.
What precisely does Khap kill?
The story's second half discusses Khap Panchayats' involvement in honour murders. These self-governing groups, known as pachayats, have a history of laying the groundwork for honour killing. Among the evil deeds committed by these panchayats include supporting families engaged in honour killings and shunning families from communities whose parents choose to let their children marry for love or another reason. Social boycotts are used to carry out the unlawful policies of the Khap panchayats, resulting in the deaths of victims or driving them to commit suicide. These offences are all carried out in the guise of fraternity and group honour. These places discourage love weddings. The defendants in the well-known "Manoj Babli" honour killing case were found guilty for the first time in June 2007.
In Haryana, a Khap Panchayat issued the death sentence. In this double murder case, on March 30, 2010, the five accused received the death penalty for the first time in the history of the state of Haryana.
Current Circumstance
Numerous Acts have undergone different modifications. The "Honour" and Tradition Act was approved by the national government in 2010 as a means of preventing crime. It is unlawful to impede on the freedom of marriage alliances for the purpose of honour and tradition, according to the Rajasthan Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances for the purpose of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2019. A proposal was made to amend the penal code of India.
The Supreme Court ruled that the constitutionality of the Khap panchayat was violated. Pass comprehensive, stand-alone legislation that justly penalises perpetrators, conspirators, and encouragers. Honour killings were included in the 12th five-year plan by the Commission on Women's and Children's Rights since the current IPC laws are inadequate to address them.
Conclusion
The most heinous and horrifying crimes in India are honour murders. It has a lengthy history in Indian culture and is currently carried out over a large portion of the nation. The primary causes are caste and religion, along with communities and customs. An estimate from the UN is that 5,000 women and girls are murdered annually by family members. India still lacks a particular legislation despite the All Domestic Women's Association making repeated proposals and the government doing nothing about it.