Police were reported to have arrested the estranged India-born husband of a young British Punjabi woman who died Monday after being found on the streets of a London suburb with a severed hand.
In a shocking case that could be the result of an 'honour killing', Geeta Aulakh, a receptionist at Britain's biggest Asian radio station Sunrise Radio, died in hospital hours after being found Monday evening lying on a street in the west London neighbourhood of Greenford.
Aulakh, 28, had a head wound and her right hand was severed from her arm, police said amid speculation Wednesday that she was a victim of 'honour killing' - a practice that occurs predominantly among Sikh and Muslim communities.
Aulakh was attacked Monday evening, shortly after leaving work in Southall to pick up her two children, aged eight and nine, and was found by a shocked passerby a short distance from the front door of her childminder.
Her husband, from whom she was separated, was among six people who were arrested. British police do not name suspects until they are charged.
Police are investigating several theories behind the murder, including jealousy, access to Aulakh's children or bringing dishonour on the family, British newspapers said.
Speculation that Aulakh was a victim of honour killing mounted after a friend revealed that it was Geeta's right hand - which wears the 'kara' - that was cut off.
“It's horrific but hugely symbolic that Geeta's right hand was cut off