In an astonishing set of events starting last month from the observation of the Supreme Court to punish honour killing with death to it actually being implemented by the Uttar Pradesh court yesterday, left every one moved by the boldness shown by the Indian Judicial system.

The facts that lead to this land mark judgement are that Udai Pal Singh, alias Bhura, (30) of Pilakhtara village in Etah district eloped with Vijaya (22) on the  30^th of October, 2008. On November 13^th, 2008, Vijaya’s father, Ramesh Pal, and his associates traced the couple along with Singh’s brother Satyabhan. They dragged the three, tortured them and fired bullets at them. All of this occurred in full public view and even after their pleas for mercy they mutilated their faces beyond recognition.

Satyabham’s wife, Laxmi named 13 people in the complaint. The counsel for the accused, BD Goyal, pleaded that though it was honour killing it did not qualify as “rarest of rare” case as the prosecution argued for death sentence.

Awarding capital punishment, Additional Sessions Judge Rajendra Babu Sharma, relied on Supreme Court’s observation that honour killing fell within the category of “rarest of rare” cases and it was barbaric, feudal and a slur on the country.

To add to fire already set by the court, Justice Rajendra Babu Sharma added that, “All persons who are planning to perpetrate honour killings should know that the gallows await them.”

One must say, “Justice has been certainly delivered”!