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Son-obsessed man murders wife in Punjab

Obsessed with having a son after two daughters, a labourer in Punjab allegedly strangled his wife on Sunday, adding to the recent spate of crimes against women and the girl child across the country.

Updated on: Apr 18, 2012, 03:27:33 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Tarn Taran
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Obsessed with having a son after two daughters, a labourer in Punjab allegedly strangled his wife on Sunday, adding to the recent spate of crimes against women and the girl child across the country.

HT Image
HT Image

Nishan Singh, 32, is on the run after killing his wife, Paramjit Kaur, 30, in Bhucchar Kallan village in Tarn Taran district of west Punjab, police said on Tuesday.

Nishan had allegedly forced Paramjit to abort her third pregnancy two years ago after an illegal sex determination test confirmed she was carrying a girl. The couple was married for 10 years, police added. A preference for sons is believed to be responsible for gender imbalance in the country. India’s child sex ratio is 914 girls per 1,000 boys, below the global benchmark of 952.

In his complaint to the police, Paramjit’s brother Surjit Singh alleged Nishan often beat her, pressuring her to bear him a son. He accused Nishan of strangling his sister. Nishan’s sister Shinder Kaur, however, termed the allegation baseless and said Paramjit had consumed some poisonous substance. Shinder admitted her brother desired a son, but denied he had tortured Paramjit. Paramjit’s body had been sent for post-mortem.

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