Centre seeks report on suspected honour killing in UP

The Centre on Tuesday said it was seriously considering a Constitution amendment to deal with honour killings, as it sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government on the murder of a man featured in Aamir Khan's show on the problem.

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh described as "unfortunate" the suspected honour killing of 29-year-old Abdul Hakim, who was shot dead in Bulandshahr last Thursday.

Hakim, 29, and his wife Mahvish had participated in the honour killing episode of Khan's show 'Satyamev Jayate' to speak against the problem. Mahvish has alleged that her family members were behind the death of her husband.

Mahvish eloped with Hakim in October 2010 after which the couple got married and were staying in Delhi following opposition from the man's family, according to police.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati accused the Samajwadi government of mishandling the case while BJP leader Smriti Irani spoke of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

"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," R P N Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

Singh said the government is "very seriously trying" to amend the Constitution to deal with the incidents of honour killings in the country.

"The matter is already pending with the EGoM," the minister said, adding the panel headed by the finance minister is deliberating on how to bring about the amendments to the Honour Killings Act which dates back to 1860.

The police has claimed that the murder 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 side.

Aamir Khan termed the killing as a sad incident.

"Law alone is not sufficient to curb honour killings. What is needed is a change in the mindset of the people," the actor said in Meerut.

Recalling their interview taken at the time of the TV show, Khan said the couple had expressed apprehensions about their murder.

The actor also offered to provide the tapes of the couple's interview for the show to the police for investigation.