Sister of Indian woman stabbed to death in London demands justice

The younger sister of Kirandeep Kaur, the 24-year-old Punjab woman who was stabbed to death inside her west London home earlier this month, has described the loss as devastating, saying the family had depended on her financially and now wants only justice and for her body to be returned to India for her last rites.In an interview with the BBC, Gursharan, 21, said Kirandeep had moved to the UK in September 2024 in the hope of building a better future for her family in Punjab and had been helping pay for her college education."She was everything to me. She supported all of us. She was helping me pay for my fees to study," Gursharan said, recalling that her sister regularly video-called home and always put the family's needs before her own.Originally from Tarn Taran district in Punjab's Majha region, Kirandeep had travelled to the UK on a student visa to pursue higher studies at Buckinghamshire New University.After completing her course, she worked at a grocery store while supporting her family back home. Gursharan told the BBC that her sister had become the family's biggest source of hope despite their financial hardships."Our family is very poor. She always thought about us first.

She wanted me to do well in my studies," she said.Kirandeep leaves behind her parents, three siblings, her husband — whom she married in the UK — and their infant child.Gursharan said the family learnt of the killing from people in their village and is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy."My parents are devastated. My mother has not been well since hearing the news. We never imagined something like this could happen to her in London," she said, adding that the family wants Kirandeep's body repatriated so she can be cremated in her native village.The family's ordeal comes after they had sold agricultural land to finance Kirandeep's move abroad.Her elder brother, Lovepreet Singh, had earlier said the family sold half an acre of land — their only major asset — and spent around Rs 25 lakh on her education and relocation after she completed her BSc degree in Punjab."We had high hopes that she would help one of us move to the UK as well and improve our family's financial condition," Lovepreet had said.The family has alleged that the attack may have been racially motivated and has appealed to the Indian government to help bring Kirandeep's body back to India.However, the Metropolitan Police has said there is no evidence at this stage to suggest it was a hate crime, adding that investigators are "keeping an open mind and exploring every line of inquiry."According to the family, the attacker entered Kirandeep's bedroom and assaulted her with a sharp-edged weapon while she was at home with her husband and infant child.Daniel Sean James, 46, has been charged with Kirandeep Kaur's murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.Prosecutors allege he attacked her inside the family's home on Uxbridge Road in Hayes in the early hours of July 12 before jumping from a window and breaking both ankles.He appeared before the Old Bailey on Thursday via videolink and was remanded in custody. A plea hearing has been scheduled for October 1.