Scholar’s death: Rights panel seeks report from DC,SSP

In her complaint,Gupta had submitted that she and other office-bearers of the NGO wanted to unfold the “mysterious and cold-blooded murder of Dr Shama Shukla” in the name of honour killin”. She submitted that the victim had completed her PhD in Punjabi from the Panjab University and was very popular in the hostel. A few days ago,she had vacated her room,as she was to join as lecturer in SD College.

Her family members were reportedly aware of and against her relationship with a man. On July 24,she had gone to her home to inform her parents about her appointment as lecturer and her plan to marry the person of her choice. “Her father and brother mixed some poisonous substance in her food and she died on the same night,” Gupta alleged,while submitting that Dr Shukla was cremated in early hours of July 25,without informing anyone in the neighbourhood and even relatives.

She further wrote that the family of the deceased was now telling that she died of cardiac arrest,while she had no heart-related problems. “No medical aid was given to her. She was not hospitalised and no doctor was called for her treatment,” Gupta said,alleging that the entire story seemed to be “concocted and fabricated”.

Gupta further submitted that PU students,particularly her hostel mates,friends and teachers,were fully convinced that it was “cold-blooded murder by her family to save their honour,so that she may not marry out of caste”. PSHRC members observed that the complaint contained serious allegations,following which they ordered a probe.