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The couple also face charges of manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty
At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Lynn Tayton ordered both accused to remain in custody. They are due to return to court on December 16. (AI-generated image)
An Indian-origin couple in London have been accused of deliberately starving their three-year-old daughter, leading to her death in 2023.
Manpreet Jatana, 34, and Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey court on Tuesday. They are charged with the murder of their daughter, Penelope Chandrie. The couple also face charges of manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty.
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The case dates back to December 2023, when police were called to a home on Pennine Way in Hayes, west London. Emergency services found the child dead at the scene.
According to the court, her body was “very emaciated” and wrapped in a sheet. A post-mortem later confirmed the cause of death was malnutrition.
The prosecution told the court that Penelope had been mistreated over “a long period of time” and was “deliberately starved”. A pathologist found signs of “starvation over many months” that ended in fatal ketoacidosis – a serious condition that happens when the body doesn’t get enough food.
Reports said the family followed a vegetarian diet, consisting mostly of yoghurt, lentils and butter. Police also described the home as being in poor condition.
The child’s death remained under investigation for months. Jatana and Uppal were arrested in September last month and later charged after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), both people have been charged with murder in connection with the girl’s death,” the police said at the time.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Lynn Tayton ordered both accused to remain in custody. They are due to return to court on December 16, when they will enter pleas of guilty or not guilty to determine if the case progresses towards sentencing or a jury trial.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
London, United Kingdom (UK)
October 01, 2025, 23:09 IST
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