‘Honour killing’: Wife rejects cops’ claim, says accused belong to father’s clan

Another accused arrested

Questioning the police's claim that her husband Abdul Hakim's murder in Bulandshahr district last week wasn't a case of honour killing, Mahwish on Wednesday said that two of the accused, Asif and Sarvar, belonged to her father's clan and had hatched a conspiracy to kill Hakim. Talking to The Indian Express over phone from Adhauli village, Mahwish said that no one from parent's immediate family was involved in the crime, but Asif, a distant uncle, and Sarvar, a distant cousin, had opposed her marriage.

Asif and Sarvar had played an important role in organising a panchayat in Adhauli when she left her father's house on October 29, 2010 to marry Hakim, she alleged, adding that the two had forced her father to lodge a case of abduction against Hakim at the Kotwali Dehat police station. She further alleged that Asif and Sarvar got Hakim killed by their employees Salman, Malik and Gullu.

Asif and Sarvar run a hotel near Adhauli. Both were arrested on Tuesday. Gullu was arrested on Wednesday while Salman and Malik are on the run.

Mahwish said that her father Mohammad Shahrukh, mother Shabnam and youngest brother Armish (13) lived at their native place, while elder brother Shoeb (20) worked at a call centre in Delhi.

She said the couple returned to Bulandshahr four months ago and started living at Bhatgarhi village near Adhauli. Before returning, they met the SP (Rural) and requested for security. They shifted to Bhatgarhi only after an assurance of safety by the SP, she said.

Principal Secretary (Home) R M Srivastava said that they have received a communication from the Union Home Ministry seeking a report on the case. "We are sending the report, but law and order is a state matter and we will look into it," he said.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Demolition drive: Traders blame ‘high-handed’ Azam

Ignored by Mulayam, Banda MP looks at BSP

Cong to cash in on SP govt’s ‘neglect’ of minorities

At AMU, students more bothered about ban on motorbikes than wearing sherwanis