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London: An Indian-origin mum-of-two was left to die in the street in west London after her right hand was chopped off. Police said amid speculation Wednesday that she was a victim of an ‘honour killing’, and have arrested her estranged husband as well as five others in connection with the case.
The case has shocked the bustling west London suburbs of Greenford, where Aulakh lived, and Southall, where she worked. The two neighbourhoods border each other and are home to London's largest communities of Punjabis.
Geeta Aulakh left her workplace at 6.30 pm along with a colleague, Seema. Geeta later took a bus, as always, to pick up her sons from her child-minder’s house. Half an hour later, near the child-minder’s home in Greenford, she was ambushed. A passer-by tended to her while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, but she was pronounced dead at 11.20 pm at Charing Cross Hospital, killed by a blow to the head.
The 28-year-old worked as a receptionist in the popular Asian community radio station Sunrise Radio.
Geeta had separated from her husband Harpreet Aulakh, known as Sunny, about a year ago. A police officer said Harpreet Aulakh was among six men arrested in connection with her death.
Police are investigating several theories behind the murder, including jealousy, access to the children or bringing dishonour on the family, British newspapers said.
Speculation that Geeta was a victim of honour killing mounted after a friend revealed that it was Geeta’s right hand, on which the kara is worn, that was cut off.
“It’s horrific but hugely symbolic that Geeta’s right hand was cut off... The kara is a permanent reminder to live a moral and good life and once it’s on you can’t get it off,” Daily Mail quoted the friend as saying. “So her murderer was both dishonouring her and perhaps trying to show she had been dishonourable, which is just barbaric.”
Sunrise Radio Chairman Avtar Lit said Geeta married Harpreet Aulakh against her parents’ wishes and that the couple went away to Sweden for a year.
“I only found out today that he (Harpreet) wanted her back. That was the kind of person Geeta was, she held everything inside,” Lit said.
The local media said Geeta was born and raised in Britain, while her estranged husband was from Punjab. Geeta had custody of their two sons aged eight and nine.
Aulakh had recently returned after a visit to Punjab where she had attended a cousin's wedding.
Acting detective chief inspector Andy Chalmers said: "When the victim was found we know that a lot of people were in the street and that several people may have tried to administer first aid before the police or ambulance arrived.
"These people left the scene before speaking to police and I would ask that anyone who was there, or anyone else who has information about the incident, call us in the strictest of confidence."
Anyone with information has been asked to call the London incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Husband arrested after woman who had hand cut off in attack dies | UK news | guardian.co.uk
The case has shocked the bustling west London suburbs of Greenford, where Aulakh lived, and Southall, where she worked. The two neighbourhoods border each other and are home to London's largest communities of Punjabis.
Geeta Aulakh left her workplace at 6.30 pm along with a colleague, Seema. Geeta later took a bus, as always, to pick up her sons from her child-minder’s house. Half an hour later, near the child-minder’s home in Greenford, she was ambushed. A passer-by tended to her while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, but she was pronounced dead at 11.20 pm at Charing Cross Hospital, killed by a blow to the head.
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The 28-year-old worked as a receptionist in the popular Asian community radio station Sunrise Radio.
Geeta had separated from her husband Harpreet Aulakh, known as Sunny, about a year ago. A police officer said Harpreet Aulakh was among six men arrested in connection with her death.
Police are investigating several theories behind the murder, including jealousy, access to the children or bringing dishonour on the family, British newspapers said.
Speculation that Geeta was a victim of honour killing mounted after a friend revealed that it was Geeta’s right hand, on which the kara is worn, that was cut off.
“It’s horrific but hugely symbolic that Geeta’s right hand was cut off... The kara is a permanent reminder to live a moral and good life and once it’s on you can’t get it off,” Daily Mail quoted the friend as saying. “So her murderer was both dishonouring her and perhaps trying to show she had been dishonourable, which is just barbaric.”
Sunrise Radio Chairman Avtar Lit said Geeta married Harpreet Aulakh against her parents’ wishes and that the couple went away to Sweden for a year.
“I only found out today that he (Harpreet) wanted her back. That was the kind of person Geeta was, she held everything inside,” Lit said.
The local media said Geeta was born and raised in Britain, while her estranged husband was from Punjab. Geeta had custody of their two sons aged eight and nine.
Aulakh had recently returned after a visit to Punjab where she had attended a cousin's wedding.
Acting detective chief inspector Andy Chalmers said: "When the victim was found we know that a lot of people were in the street and that several people may have tried to administer first aid before the police or ambulance arrived.
"These people left the scene before speaking to police and I would ask that anyone who was there, or anyone else who has information about the incident, call us in the strictest of confidence."
Anyone with information has been asked to call the London incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Husband arrested after woman who had hand cut off in attack dies | UK news | guardian.co.uk
