London: An India-born man arrested in
connection with the brutal murder of his estranged wife, a
28-year-old mother of two, has been released on bail to return
to court in January next year pending further inquiries, the
Scotland Yard said today.
Geeta Aulakh, a receptionist with the popular Asian radio
station Sunrise Radio, was found lying on a street in
Greenford, west London on Monday, with severe head injuries
and her right hand chopped off. Passers-by rushed her to a
hospital, where she breathed her last.
Her estranged husband Harpeet Aulakh and five others were
arrested in connection with the gruesome crime that has sent
shockwaves in the community. All the six have secured bail and
will return to court in mid-January 2010, pending further
inquiries.
Geeta, a Hindu, separated from Harpeet, a Sikh, a year
ago, but he is said to have wanted to get back together. The
31-year-old and the five others were questioned by police.
Police are investigating several theories behind the
murder, including jealousy, access to the children or
"bringing dishonour" on the family.
Friends and relatives today paid tributes to Geeta, a
"smiling" girl who "never had a bad word to say" about anyone
and "lived for" her sons Karan and Tejdeep, aged 8 and 9. She
was attacked just yards from the home of the child-minder of
her sons, who are now in the care of social services.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 20:45