Centre seeks report from UP govt on honour killing case

Terming as 'unfortunate' the suspected honour killing of a youth in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district, the Centre on Tuesday sought a report from the state government on the issue.

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh also said that the government is "very seriously trying" to amend the Constitution to deal with incidents of honour killings in the country.

"We have already asked the state government to send us details of the killing that has taken place. This is something that the government has taken seriously. What has happened in UP is unfortunate. We are still waiting for details from the UP government," he told reporters outside Parliament House.

The wife of Abdul Hakim, 29, who was shot dead on Thursday, on Monday alleged that her family members were behind the death of her husband.

According to the Hakim's wife Mahvish, the victim was shot dead by her family members on November 22, while they were visiting the village along with their two-year-old daughter.

The police have claimed that it was not a case of honour killing as none of the accused named in the FIR by the deceased's brother was from Mahvish's family.

Mahvish had eloped with Hakim in October 2010 following opposition from her family. The couple got married and was living in Delhi.
   
Hakim had also participated in an episode of reality TV show Satyamev Jayate, hosted by actor Aamir Khan, to speak against the menace of honour killing.

Singh said the government is trying to amend the Constitution to deal with incidents of honour killings.

"The matter is already pending," the minister said, adding that the panel headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram is deliberating on how to bring about amendments to the 1860 Honour Killings Act.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj party chief Mayawati on Tuesday accused the UP government of mishandling the case.

"You people have yourself said that the issue has been mishandled," she told reporters outside Parliament.