Indian grandmother sentenced to life for 'honour killing'

[JODO 2]

Indian grandmother sentenced to life for 'honour killing'

London - A 70-year-old Indian woman was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Britain Wednesday for ordering the so- called "honour-killing" of her daughter-in-law who wanted a divorce from her son, who also received a life term. The Old Bailey Criminal Court heard that Bachan Athwal must serve at least 20 years in prison before she is eligible for release. Her son, Sukhdave, 43, would have to serve a minium of 27 years.

They were found guilty of the murder of Surjit Athwal, 27, who "disappeared off the surface of the earth" after going to a family wedding in Punjab in 1998, and whose body has never been found.

"The pair of you decided that the so-called honour of your family members was worth more than the life of this young woman," presiding judge Giles Forrester said.

"You, Bachan, were head of the family. I have no doubt you exercised a controlling influence over the family members," he added.

Bachan stood with her hands clasped together and her head bowed as the was sentenced, reports from the court said.

According to the prosecution Bachan, a grandmother of 16, ordered Surjit's death at a family meeting after discovering her daughter-in- law had been having an affair and wanted a divorce.

Her body was never found but Bachan boasted to her family that she had arranged for her brother to strangle her and throw the corpse into a river, the court heard.

It took years before frightened relatives came forward to police, giving them the evidence required.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/110268.html

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Punjabi families can be so medieval.

[almaty 19]

Punjabi families can be so medieval.

and primitive chopf##ks