Shamed: The Honour Killing That Shocked Britain – by the Sister Who Fought for Justice
Jun 2013 · Random House
4.7star
53 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
In 1998, Sarbjit Athwal was called by her husband to attend a family meeting. It looked like just another family gathering. An attractive house in west London, a large dining room, two brothers, their mother, one wife. But the subject they were discussing was anything but ordinary. At the head of the group sat the elderly mother. She stared proudly around, smiling at her children, then raised her hand for silence. ‘It’s decided then,’ the old lady announced. ‘We have to get rid of her.’
‘Her’ was Surjit Athwal, Sarbjit’s sister-in-law. Within three weeks of that meeting, Surjit was dead: lured from London to India, drugged, strangled, and her body dumped in the Ravi River, never to be seen again.
After the killing, risking her own life, Sarbjit fought secretly for justice for nine long, scared years. Eventually, with immense bravery, she became the first person within a murderer’s family ever to go into open court in an honour killing trial as the Prosecution’s key witness, and the first to waive her anonymity in such a trial. As a result of her testimony, the trial led to the first successful prosecution of an honour killing without the body ever being found.
But her story doesn’t end there. Since the trial, her life has been threatened; her own husband arrested after an allegation of intimidation. Shamed is a story of fear and of horror – but also of immense courage, and a woman who risked everything to see that justice was done.
‘Her’ was Surjit Athwal, Sarbjit’s sister-in-law. Within three weeks of that meeting, Surjit was dead: lured from London to India, drugged, strangled, and her body dumped in the Ravi River, never to be seen again.
After the killing, risking her own life, Sarbjit fought secretly for justice for nine long, scared years. Eventually, with immense bravery, she became the first person within a murderer’s family ever to go into open court in an honour killing trial as the Prosecution’s key witness, and the first to waive her anonymity in such a trial. As a result of her testimony, the trial led to the first successful prosecution of an honour killing without the body ever being found.
But her story doesn’t end there. Since the trial, her life has been threatened; her own husband arrested after an allegation of intimidation. Shamed is a story of fear and of horror – but also of immense courage, and a woman who risked everything to see that justice was done.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
53 reviews
Sarah
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July 11, 2023
very interesting, well written book. this poor woman fought tirelessly to help bring her in laws to justice, whilst fearing for her own life!
Lisa Taylor
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March 11, 2015
Sarbjit is an inspirational woman. Keeping her faith whilst knowing what had happened shows dedication and having to fight against her own culture, family and beliefs show real courage. RIP Surjit and may peace be with your family.
2 people found this review helpful
Steve Jones
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April 18, 2014
A moving account of jaw-dropping courage and hope, and the bravery people can be capable of in the face of terrifying and seemingly overwhelming odds. Brilliant.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Sarbjit Kaur Athwal is a British Indian, whose sister-in-law Surjit was the victim of an honour killing. Sarbjit secretly and bravely campaigned for justice for Surjit, seeking murder convictions for her husband’s mother and brother. They were jailed, but Sarbjit continues to receive death threats and ostracisation by the Sikh community.
She has since become a police community support officer, in gratitude for the staunch support of Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll.
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