Letter.

Letter Published in The National UAE on 25 Nov 22, A horrific crime in India calls for stronger laws With regard to Taniya Dutta's article Indian chef Aftab Ameen Poonawala confesses to murdering and dismembering his girl friend (November 22): this murder has shaken the county. For the past fortnight, it has been sensational news in the capital with the media analysing angles of what led to such a horrific crime. The accused used to beat her often. She feared for her life, as she wrote in an earlier police complaint before he took her life. And while there is the domestic violence angle, the cause for this murder is yet to be known, even though the accused has admitted guilt and mentioned it happening in the "heat of the moment". What is also shocking is the number of gruesome crimes in recent months. Indian society needs to introspect and fix the problem before more such inhuman acts take place or become the norm. Poonawala should be punished severely. This case ought to serve as an eye opener for others even considering resorting to such barbarism. Human lives are precious and no one has got the right to kill. Criminals will be deterred if the country implements strong judicial measures. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India