As many as 25 families of victims of honour killing met the Prevention of Honour Killing Commission on Thursday to submit their statements and reiterate the need for a separate law against this crime.

Organised by the human rights organisation Evidence, the victims are meeting with the chairman of the commission, retired Justice K.N. Basha recalling their struggle in getting justice.

Kalaichelvan, brother of Gokulraj, who was murdered in 2015, told the commission that while the Madras High Court had upheld the conviction by a lower court, the mental agony and trauma undergone to get justice were difficult. “The friends of the accused would make it difficult for us to even grieve my brother publicly,” he added.

At the meeting, a total of 17 families of victims spoke, including Kausalya Shankar, whose husband was murdered in 2016; Selvam, whose daughter was murdered in 2023, and Leela, whose son was murdered in 2026.

Evidence executive director A. Kathir stated that in the last two months, there have been five instances of honour killings in the State. “The NCRB data states that only four honour killings have occurred, but in actuality, a total of 59 honour killings have taken place from 2017-2025,” he added.

He also pointed out that honour killings cannot be seen through just a caste lens, as it also takes place due to class and status. “Honour killings also take place within a community. However, as there is no provision to protect them, it doesn’t come under the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and it doesn’t get registered as honour killing,” he added.

Mr. Basha said that the commission has been meeting with the public, experts and activists to formulate their findings. “We are working to submit our reports as soon as possible. We have also invited political parties to meet with the commission, and so far, VCK and the Left parties have met us. We’ll be emailing the others,” he said.