New Delhi:
The family of Mandeep Kaur, an Indian woman who committed suicide in the US after she detailed the abuse by her husband in the video, said the husband performed her last rites while they were trying to claim the body. “I am not satisfied (with the Indian government’s steps). She performed the last rites in secret,” her brother Sandeep Singh told NDTV, from the family village of Bijnor in UP.
“I don’t know what the officials are doing there. How can an accused be allowed to do this,” he said. Bijnor. The marriage was arranged by the families in 2015.
Her two daughters – 6 and 4 – live with her husband, who allegedly abused her for “not giving birth to a son”.
The family’s claim about the “secret cremation” was stated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs that it is in contact with local authorities, the police, the family and the Indian community. The ministry in its statement, however, did not say anything about the last rites.
Mandeep Kaur, 30, died on 4 August. A video of her went viral, in which she talks about her abuse, in which she says, “It’s been eight years. I can’t beat everyday anymore… Papa, forgive me. I I’m going. I’m going to die.” Then a few more videos emerged – which she sent to family and friends – that showed the husband beating her up as the children cry to stop her.
The family knew that the husband abused her, but said she wanted to give her a chance “because she was concerned about their two daughters”.
Two days ago, the family started an online petition, demanding that his body be handed over to his family in India. The petition on ‘change.org’ also demanded that their daughters be protected and their custody given to the family in India.
The Ministry of External Affairs said today, “The suicide of Indian Mandeep Kaur, who lives in New York, is very sad. Our Consulate in New York is in contact with local authorities, police, family and the Indian community. Our Embassy in Washington, DC in touch with US authorities who have assured us of appropriate action.
It added that Indian authorities “will continue their efforts for a thorough investigation and extend necessary help to family members”.
Her father Jaspal Singh has filed a case of abetment to suicide against the husband at the police station here and has also named his parents who live in a nearby village.