IWPC condemns 'honour killing' of scribe

The Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) today described the "honour killing" of a Delhi-based journalist as a "dastardly act" which is reflective of a deep-rooted social malaise.

In a statement, the IWPC said the gruesome act of killing of 22-year-old Nirupama Pathak, working with Business Standard, allegedly by her family members was "shocking and reprehensible".

"The IWPC has taken serious note of the killing of its fellow journalist and would like to initiate a debate to prevent occurrences of such dastardly acts, which are reflective of a deep-rooted social malaise," it said.

Pathak's mother Subha, who is suspected to have had a hand in her death, had already been arrested after post-mortem report confirmed that the scribe had died of asphyxia as a result of smothering.

The Delhi-based journalist, a Brahmin, was planning to marry her batchmate at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, who belonged to another caste and her family members were against it.