Two killed in suspected honor killings in Barnala, Punjab, India

Manpreet Kaur, Gurdeep Singh
Ages: 25,30
strangled/stabbed: May 23, 2023
Residence: Thikriwala, Barnala, Punjab, India
Children: -
Perpetrators: Bhola Singh, Sukhbir Singh

In Thikriwala village, located in Barnala district of Punjab, India, a man and a woman were murdered on Tuesday. The police suspect that this is a case of honor killings. Gurdeep Singh (30), a resident of the village, was in a relationship with Manpreet Kaur (25), and the two had known each other for a long time.

Gurdeep had planned to visit Manpreet late at night. However, when Manpreet's father and brother discovered his presence around 1:30 a.m., they attacked Gurdeep and killed him with a sharp object. They then proceeded to strangle Manpreet.

According to the police, Gurdeep's body was found outside the house near a sewer outlet, while Manpreet's body was discovered inside on a bed.

Gurdeep's brother has filed charges against Bhola Singh and Sukhbir Singh, who stand accused of murder. However, the suspects have not yet been arrested.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.