10 days after Dalit girl dies by suicide in Bhiwani, college transporter’s son arrested

The FIR, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, further mentions that Rahul harassed the girl by calling her on telephone repeatedly and kept asking for “unethical activities”.

Written by Sukhbir Siwach

The Haryana police on Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old man on charges of abetment to suicide of a 19-year-old Dalit girl. According to the police, Rahul, the son of the college transporter and a resident of Shayam Kalan village in Bhiwani district of Haryana allegedly harassed the girl over phone multiple times.

According to the FIR registered by girl’s father on December 27, his daughter, a third year student of a college in Bhiwani, died by suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at their home, late on December 24.

The FIR, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, further mentions that Rahul harassed the girl by calling her on telephone repeatedly and kept asking for “unethical activities

The FIR also states that the girl couldn’t deposit the college fee on time due to the family’s poor financial condition and she was not allowed to appear for the first paper of the 5th semester on December 6. He told the police that the girl was in distress and Rahul’s continuous calls pushed her into taking the extreme step. An FIR has been registered against the college principal, college transport in-charge Hanuman, his son Rahul and his daughter.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Dalip Singh said: “Based on the FIR we have arrested Rahul and are interrogating him. Rahul had called the girl just before she died by suicide. We are examining their call records. The accused has three cases of cyber fraud registered against him and was arrested earlier too.”

However, refuting the allegations, college principal Dr Sarita told The Indian Express that the matter is not related to college fees. “The girl had appeared for all the examinations, including the last one that took place on December 17. This matter is not related to the college as no fees are charged from the students. Even the books and transportation facility is free of cost,” she said.

The DSP added that they are yet to examine the college records.

When asked, the father of the girl said that they didn’t complain to the police immediately as they were not aware of the reasons behind the suicide. “Later we found two missed calls on her phone. Her friends also told us that she was upset for over a month.”

Meanwhile, the incident has already sparked a political slugfest in the state with the Congress alleging atrocities on Dalits during the BJP’s rule.

Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said it’s unfortunate that a Dalit daughter had to commit suicide for not being able to pay her exam fee. “This incident is extremely shameful,” said Surjewala, seeking an in-depth probe into the case.

Congress Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja said that incidents of Dalit oppression have increased in BJP-ruled states, and the governments have failed to prevent them. “Dalits are not even being heard. BJP-ruled states have, for some time, become laboratories for atrocities against Dalits. Reserved positions are not being filled, and announcements to woo Dalits are made only during elections. After elections, they are forgotten, and their oppression continues,” she said.

Reacting to the allegations, Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Bedi said that the opposition leaders should focus on demanding action against the culprits. He added, “By tweeting half-heartedly, these leaders are attempting to shield the culprits. They should instead work towards ensuring justice for the victim. The government stands with the victim’s family, and action will be taken against the culprits.”

Courtesy : TIE

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