‘Honour killing’ accused remanded in 5-day police custody

Salim,who was booked for murder after Tahira’s body was found buried in Alipur village on Monday near a stream,had also accused the girl’s father Shaukin of being involved in the murder in front of some media persons. “The accused keeps changing his statements. Right now we are not suspecting the father’s involvement. The rest can only be revealed after interrogating Salim,” said Arvind,Station House Officer at Chandimandir police station.

Salim had told the police he killed Tahira for saving his family’s ‘honour’. Following a love affair,Tahira was sent to Khangesra from Muzzafarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) by her parents Shaukin and Wahida. After they could not contact their daughter for a few days,they pressed Salim to disclose her wherabouts. This was when he spoke of the murder,police said.

Tahira’s body was found at Alipur,where Salim had allegedly buried it for the second time. Fearing suspicion by the owner of the farm,where he had buried the body previously,Salim allegedly shifted the body to Alipur village.

The post-mortem report had revealed that Tahira was smothered and her body lay buried for three-four weeks. Salim had,however,told the police that he buried the body some two months back. “The police will soon recover the bed on which the girl was smothered,along with the pillow used for the purpose,” Inspector Arvind added.