COLD-BLOODED CRIME

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1931, Page 2

COLD-BLOODED CRIME

MURDER IN TEMPLE. SUVA, February 20. One of the most deliberate murders which the colony has witnessed is’ reported by the police. It appears that two Sikhs married two sisters, aged 15 and 16 years. Thus Mela Singh and Badhawa Singh became brothers-in-law. But Mela was not content with the charms of his little wife, and cast eyes at the 15-year-old spouse of Badhawa. The latter’s anger was aroused, and after quarrels Mela and his wife moved to a settlement named Tagi Tagi, near.Tavua. But distance increased Mela’s ardour and he continued his attentions. Then like a thunderbolt came retribution. Mela was deeply engaged in prayer at the Sikh temple, when, with one swift slice with a cane knife, Badhawa’ nearly severed Mela’s head. Slowly the murderer turned and surveyed the worshippers, who gazed in silent horror at him. Then he stalked out of the sacred place, after having committed the gravest crime in his religion. Nobody interfered. If he had been captured one more life would, have been spared, for on goina to his home Badhawa sliced his wife with the same knife until no life remained. Then he gave himself up to the police.