Surjit Athwal can now rest in peace

Couldn't help it, on hearing the news this morning that the mother-in-law and ex-husband of Surjit Athwal have been convicted of her murder brought tears of relief to my eyes. Seems there is some divine intervention after all. Grandmother guilty of murder plot

I know Surjit's brother Jagdeesh Singh through a Hounslow Sikh pressure group. The story of her disappearance and so many conflicting stories blew my mind. Yes, I signed his petitions and helped circulate his flyers.

Over the years what happened to her has haunted me. Every time another so called 'honour killing' was mentioned on the news it made me think about her. How can somebody born in the UK go to India with her husband and mother-in-law for a family wedding in 1998 and just not come back. To disappear off the face of the earth with no contact within the family circle - it's just illogical. She wouldn't leave her children and her accent alone would stand out abroad like a sore thumb. Somebody must have known something.

From the onset it was believed she had been killed and those who'd planned it. Jagdeesh and his family have campaigned tirelessly over the years trying to get justice. It was felt the Foreign office wasn't taking much interest. There was even a suggestion that because she was Asian and not white there was a lack of motivation in getting to the bottom of the matter. The 'Justice for Surjit' campaign was set up to put pressure on the British government to do more to get the Indian authorities to thoroughly investigate her disappearance.

Jagdeesh met MP's and the issue was tabled before Parliament. With his campaign video, television appearance and May 2003 BBC documentary broadcast on Surjit's case, a huge reward was offered for information and pressure came from other human rights organisations. The family couldn't have done more.

It's because of her and others that families think they can get away with it. With more honour killings and the media attention they are now getting, the government seem to now realise something has to be done.

After all this time, Bachan Athwal the mother-in-law from hell has got her just desserts and is awaiting sentence. Who gives a damn that she is 70 and a Grandmother of 16. Let her rot in prison.

Update: According to Jagdeesh the sentencing date is 19th Sept. A Surjit memorial is also being planned.