People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXXVI

No. 34

August 26, 2012


AIDWA Demands Time-bound

Investigation into Geetika case

 

 

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has issued the following statement on August 17:

 

AIDWA held a demonstration on August 17 outside Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi demanding the immediate arrest of Gopal Kanda (ex-minister of Haryana) who is accused of abetment and intimidation in the Geetika Sharma suicide case.

 

On August 16, an AIDWA delegation from Delhi also met Geetika’s family to express solidarity with them in their struggle to get justice.

 

Around two hundred women from different parts of Delhi and Haryana participated in the demonstration. The demo started from Mandi House. Women then marched upto Haryana Bhawan. Angry women shouted slogans – “Arrest absconder Gopal Kanda,” “Gopal Kanda ki property zabt karo”, “Mantri bachane ke liye ek ladki ko badnaam karna nahin chalega” etc.

 

Leaders of AIDWA Brinda Karat, Sudha Sundararaman (AIDWA general secretary), Jagmati Sangwan (vice president, Haryana) and Sehba Farooqui (secretary, Delhi), addressed the demonstration.

 

All of them expressed their outrage and strong protest against the role of the Haryana government in permitting the former minister in the government to evade arrest.  The leaders said that even now after a non-bailable warrant has been issued against Kanda, (August 16) he is still at large.  AIDWA is extremely concerned by this delay in the delivery of justice. The message that no one –however rich or powerful – can escape the law should go out strongly.  

 

AIDWA delegation submitted memorandums to the chief minister of Haryana through the resident commissioner and the police commissioner of Delhi demanding the following:

 

·                    Immediate arrest of Gopal Kanda.

·                    If untraceable, move court to declare him an absconder, take steps to attach his properties.

·                    Adequate protection for Geetika’s parents and relatives.

·                    Time bound and efficient investigation into the case, with exemplary punishment of the guilty.