VIVEK SHARMA
JAMMU: Riding high on pompous slogans and hollow promises, BJP is practically practicing what even its worse detractors did not dare to venture during hey days of their governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abusing massive mandate bestowed by the electors of Jammu, a senior BJP miniser in the Coalition Government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has been instrumental in releasing one Parveen Sharma, just a day after held in connection with mysterious death of his wife at his residence in Channi Himmat, a city suburb. The minister is reported to be maternal uncle of the suspect, who is alleged to have harassed his wife so much that she was forced to take extreme step of ending her life.
Twenty seven year old Sheetal Khajuria (Sharma), married to Parveen Sharma two and half years ago, died in suspicious circumstances with her in-laws claiming the death as suicide but brother crying foul play. The couple had ‘estranged relations’, as the mother-in-law of the deceased used to tease and taunt her for not bearing a child, as also not getting adequate dowry.
The death sparked huge protests in the posh locality with residents demanding thorough inquiry and immediate necessary action. The day long protests forced the police to take Parveen Sharma into custody. However, he was released next morning due to political pressure reportedly asserted by the BJP minister. The residents allege that police seems to be in the process of hushing up the case by declaring the death as ‘suicide’.
The political interference to impact the investigation into the death of a young girl ironically comes in the wake of ‘Beti Bachao’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This is unfortunate”, said some residents, questioning the moral standing of the BJP.
According to brother of the deceased, Sahil Khajuria of Mohalla Afghana, Sheetal was lying on floor of her bedroom on 16th May when he reached their residence after being informed by her in-laws. He immediately called up the police which shifted her to Government Medical College Hospital here where doctors declared Sheetal as brought dead.
Sahil Khajuria told STATE TIMES on phone from Haridwar, where the family is performing religious rituals for Sheetal, that they will move the Court for justice on reaching Jammu. He expressed his dismay over the attempts being made by a BJP minister to get the case hushed up. “We won’t allow that even if we may have to knock the doors of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi”, Sahid said, adding that the family had many hopes with judiciary, which they are going to approach on their arrival.
Sahil claimed that his sister has been murdered, as her body-arms, face and feet-bore injury marks. He denied his sister to have taken extreme step of committing suicide and said that her in-laws were making false stories about her death. He accused Parveen of having extra-marital affair with his maternal aunt. “My sister told me last month that Parveen had very intimate relationship with his maternal aunt and when she protested, she was given a good thrashing”, he said.
Police has registered a case and started inquest proceedings under Section 174. However, the police is tight lipped over the circumstances leading to release of Parveen Sharma, who runs a factory at Samba Industrial Estate under name and style Shanker Plastic Products, after being taken into custody.
