“Justice Must Not Be Denied” — Kumari Selja criticises the BJP government over the Ankita Bhandari case and calls for an independent, impartial investigation into the allegations.
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary, Congress in-charge for Uttarakhand, Sirsa MP, former Union Minister and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has criticised the BJP government over the Ankita Bhandari murder case, accusing it of failing to address the family’s demand for justice.
Speaking to journalists during a Congress protest in Uttarakhand, Selja said the government’s responsibility was to ensure justice for the parents of a daughter who had lost her life, rather than suppressing their voices. She said Ankita’s parents were seeking justice and that people across Uttarakhand, including residents of the hill region, stood with them.
Selja alleged that, instead of addressing the family’s concerns, the government was taking action against those seeking justice. She also condemned reports that Ankita’s parents had allegedly been forcibly taken away, saying such an incident, if established, would reflect insensitivity towards a grieving family.
Questions Raised Over Demand for an Independent Probe
Selja questioned the government’s position on the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations connected with the case. Referring to questions being raised about a person whose name has reportedly surfaced in the matter and whose role is being called for scrutiny, she asked what the government’s intentions were regarding the appointment of that person to a constitutional post such as Governor.
She asked whether the BJP government was apprehensive about an impartial investigation. The Congress, she said, wanted all allegations connected with the case to be examined through an independent and fair process, with appropriate action against anyone found guilty.
Selja alleged that the BJP government was misusing its authority to protect influential people while troubling those demanding justice. She said such allegations raised concerns about democratic accountability and the functioning of the justice system.
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Express Solidarity
Selja said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and other party leaders had met Ankita’s parents and assured them of their support in the struggle for justice.
She said the Congress would continue to raise its voice for justice for Ankita and every other woman facing injustice in Uttarakhand. The party, she added, would continue its efforts until the family’s demand for justice received a fair hearing.
BOX: Panipat Drain Incident Exposes Gaps in BJP’s Smart City Model, Says Selja
Kumari Selja also criticised the BJP government over an incident in which a young girl fell into an open drain near Devi Temple in Ward 3 of Panipat.
She said the child was saved because of the courage of an individual. According to local residents, similar accidents had occurred in the area earlier, but the administration had failed to learn from them.
Taking a swipe at the government’s development claims, Selja described the incident as a reflection of what she called the BJP’s “Smart City model”, alleging that inadequate civic safeguards were putting children’s lives at risk despite claims of urban development.
NEWS NOTE
The concerns and allegations in this report are attributed to Kumari Selja and the Congress. Calls for an independent investigation are demands made by the party; allegations should not be treated as established findings unless verified by competent authorities.
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