New Delhi, May 3 (Inditop.com) About 50 friends of Nirupama Pathak, a Delhi journalist who was found dead in her Jharkhand home last week, met National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Girija Vyas and sought harsh punishment for her killers.

Nirupama, 23, was allegedly in a relationship with her former batchmate from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in New Delhi – a relationship her parents reportedly did not approve of.

“It was suspected from day one that she was killed by her parents as she was planning to marry her IIMC batchmate who was from a different caste. We want stringent action against those behind the killing,” said Ranveer Singh, a batchmate.

“If it’s honour killing, then her parents should get the maximum punishment. If she was in love with a boy from another caste and wanted to marry him, what was wrong with the decision?” asked Sunita, a friend.

Nirupama, who worked for Business Standard, was found dead on April 29 at her home in Koderma, about 200 km from Ranchi. She had gone home on April 19 and was due to return April 28. But her reservation was cancelled.

The virtual world was abuzz with messages like “we will miss you” and “will never again have a friend like you”.

William D’Souza, wrote on Facebook, “Was lucky to have known her tasty cooking and, of course, her nasal voice. Will miss both equally… Adeiu”.