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Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana Commission for Women, has expressed deep concern over the alleged suicide of a Dalit girl student in Loharu, Bhiwani.
Bhatia visited the college and found discrepancies in the statements of the principal and the owner. She also spoke with students, who revealed that college fees for July were waived in 2024, possibly as part of an election campaign. "It is very shameful that a girl committed suicide...Today I visited the college in Loharu and spoke to the principal and the owner. There was a difference in their claims...I also spoke to the college students and they said that the college fees for July were waived in 2024. It seemed to be a part of the election campaign...It should be investigated whether the college principal called the family of the deceased student..." Bhatia emphasised the need for a thorough investigation, particularly into whether the college principal contacted the deceased student's family. The student had informed her grandmother that she was not allowed to take an exam on the day of her suicide. Bhatia also recommended checking Rahul's phone records. "The day the student ended her life, she had told her grandmother that she was not allowed to take the exam...Rahul's phone records should also be checked...," she said. To ensure an unbiased investigation, Bhatia suggested that a senior-level committee should handle the case, as local officials might be influenced. The Haryana Commission for Women will formally request the transfer of the case to the state crime branch. "A senior-level committee should investigate the matter as local officials can be pressurised in such cases...The Haryana Commission for Women will write a letter seeking a transfer of the case to state crime," said Renu Bhatia. Notably, the victim Dalit girl allegedly died by suicide for being 'pressurised' to pay her college fees. The girl was also allegedly pressured by the college authorities to get into a physical relationship with the college Director's son over the 'unpaid college fees.' Meanwhile, Bhiwani Police arrested another individual in the suicide case identified as the accused Rahul's father Hanuman. A committee was formed by the District Deputy Commissioner of Bhiwani to investigate the allegations made against the college, a statement from the release said. Members included in the committee were the sub-divisional officer of Loharu, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Loharu and the District Higher Education Officer of Bhiwani. On Thursday, Haryana Minister Gaurav Gautam stated that there should be an inquiry into the case and the state government would serve justice. Gaurav Gautam said, "We stand with the statement made by Krishan Singh Bedi. If the people of Congress are involved in such an incident, then it is condemnable. There should be an inquiry. The government will serve justice." (ANI)
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