The Surjit Kaur Athwal case is a harrowing tale of honor-based violence that shocked the Sikh community in the UK. Surjit, a 27-year-old British-Sikh woman, was murdered in 1998 after her family disapproved of her modern lifestyle and desire to divorce her husband. She disappeared after attending a family wedding in India, and it was later revealed that her mother-in-law and husband conspired to kill her to protect their "honor." Her body was never recovered.
The case remained unsolved for years, but persistent efforts by her family and law enforcement led to a breakthrough. In 2007, her husband, Sukhdave Singh Athwal, and mother-in-law, Bachan Kaur Athwal, were convicted of her murder. This case highlighted the deep-seated issues of honor-based violence in immigrant communities and the challenges victims face in seeking justice. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of raising awareness and taking action against such practices.
