Chandigarh, Taran Taran, Punjab: Gurleen, her husband Amarpreet and her mother-in-law were a happy family just a month ago.
Today they are just another terrible statistic, the latest victims of an 'honour' killing.
Gurleen and her mother-in-law were hacked to death allegedly by a group that included Gurleen's own brothers.
Her neighbours woke up to the noise of gun shots early on Wednesday morning.
"We heard gunshots around 2 am in the morning, it was dark so could not see much but at dawn we saw Amarpreet lying in pool of blood and we informed the police," said Baljit Singh, neighbour.
Gurleen's husband Amarpreet was also shot but survived and was able to talk to the police. A case has been registered against Gurleen's father and two brothers.
"The girl had married against the wishes of her family and they attacked the house last night and killed the girl and her mother-in-law while the girl's husband has been injured and is in hospital. We have formed teams to nab the culprits," said Pritpal Singh, SSP Taran Taran.
This is third honour killing in Taran Taran in a year, and not surprisingly authorities are passing the buck.
When the issue was put before Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik, he said, "You are trying to make out as if these issues are connected to my ministry. These are law and order issues connected to Home Ministry, you should ask them."
With court orders and police protection proving to be of little use, now all hopes are being pinned on the Union Law Ministry's proposal to make honour killings a separate offence with appropriate punishment.