New Delhi:
For anyone who believed honour killings are a curse of rural India, this was a brutal reality check.
Three honour killings in 48 hours- the victims were all from the same family in West Delhi. First, a young couple, Kuldeep and Monica, were murdered near their home. Then, the body of Monica's cousin, Shobhana, was found barely 300 metres away in a car. Shobhana helped Monica elope; she was also in love with a man her parents did not approve of.
The brothers of the two women are missing; the police believe they were involved with the deaths. A third suspect is their friend.
The Delhi Police confirmed that all three were killed on Sunday night and has offered a total reward of 1.5 lakhs rupees for information that could help locate the three missing men.
A cousin of Shobhana and Monica's, who also married against her family's wishes - is believed to be in danger.
Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit called the incident a disturbing one. "I am very worried about this, we cannot post a policeman inside everyone's home but this has to be condemned," she said.
Meanwhile, with reports of 'honour' killings of young couples and 'kangaroo' court rulings on the rise, government has said it has drafted a law that will seek to put an end to such 'extra-judicial' actions. (
Read: How govt plans to fight honour killings)