Srinagar, May 3: Romana Javed, crushed by car borne youth in civil lines here in 2009, would have been 20 today. The Bagh-e-Mehtab girl would have finished college degree and perhaps would have been preparing to enter University, a place she always wished to go.
 Instead, her family awaits court verdict against Ubaid Khan of Barzulla , who was accused along with his friend, Shoiab Dariyal of crushing her to death.
 Romanas’s killing has spawned one of most sensational and closely watched trials. Yet to her family's frustration, Romana has been eclipsed in the public's eye due to the slow trial. Her family chose to remain largely silent during the years of trial in the court, quietly honoring her memory on the May 3, her death anniversary. 
 The family has chosen to remember her by donating money to the orphanages. “We also organize a special feast for special kids on this day every year to remember her in best way,” her father, Javed Shabnum told Greater Kashmir. 
 “Though the police had nabbed the accused duo in less than 24-hours of the murder, but the trial has been going on for past 3 years. We want the case to be referred to fast track Court,” Javed says.  “We have full faith in the Court of law.”
 “When victimized female folk elsewhere in India can get special attention of media and the government, what prevents them from taking same steps in our daughter’s case?” asks Javed.
 Her family recalls that Romana worked hard and passed her secondary school board exam with flying colours. “She was excited to have joined the higher secondary school.  She was a caring and obedient child, who made friends fast. Within weeks, she had a small group of friends in the school,” recalls her mother.
 On the last night of her life, she was returning from tuition when two car born eve-teasers crushed her. Romana was 17 when she died on May 3, 2009, sprawled with blood on the road. “We have lost her, but we haven’t lost hope. We just want culprits should be given an exemplary punishment,” her father adds.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00:00 IST