Indian man arrested in UK for estranged wife's murder freed on bail

An India-born man arrested in connection with the brutal murder of his estranged wife, a 28-year-old mother of two, has been released on bail to return to court in January next year pending further inquiries, the Scotland Yard said today.

Geeta Aulakh, a receptionist with the popular Asian radio station Sunrise Radio, was found lying on a street in Greenford, west London on Monday, with severe head injuries and her right hand chopped off. Passers-by rushed her to a hospital, where she breathed her last.

 Her estranged husband Harpeet Aulakh and five others were arrested in connection with the gruesome crime that has sent shockwaves in the community. All the six have secured bail and will return to court in mid-January 2010, pending further inquiries.

Geeta, a Hindu, separated from Harpeet, a Sikh, a year ago, but he is said to have wanted to get back together. The 31-year-old and the five others were questioned by police.

Police are investigating several theories behind the murder, including jealousy, access to the children or "bringing dishonour" on the family.

Friends and relatives today paid tributes to Geeta, a "smiling" girl who "never had a bad word to say" about anyone and "lived for" her sons Karan and Tejdeep, aged 8 and 9. She was attacked just yards from the home of the child-minder of her sons, who are now in the care of social services.