It’s murder, not suicide, say lawyer’s kin

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13

Bilaspur-based family of a young practising lawyer, Vandana, who was found dead at her rented flat in Sector 49, has alleged that she was murdered by her friend, who frequently visited her place. Mayank was quizzed by the police.

Speaking with Chandigarh Tribune, Braham Dass, father of the Vandana Sharma, alleged: “My daughter was murdered. She could never have committed suicide. There were scratches on her face, neck and arms. Mayank first choked her and then hanged her from the ceiling fan to make it appear like a suicide.”

Her brother-in-law Kapil Sharma alleged: “Mayank told the police in his statement that he was there when she committed suicide. He cut her dupatta with a knife and lowered her body to give her artificial respiration. Following this, she even vomited and then Mayank called up the police. But, why did he not raise the alarm immediately and informed the police or neighbours? We also got to know the two had a quarrel two or three days ago.”                 

The family further expressed surprise over being informed late about the incident. “The boy called up the police at 11 pm on Thursday while we were informed at 5:30 am on Friday about it,” said Kapil.

Meanwhile, the family cremated her body this morning after taking it from Chandigarh on Friday evening following post-mortem. “We are now going to Haridwar and will lodge a complaint with the police tomorrow. Though in our initial statement, we told the police that it was not a suicide,” added the girl’s father.

Meanwhile, Mayank could not be contacted for his version as his phone was switched off. Ranjodh Singh, Station House Officer of Sector 49, said prima facie it did not seem to be a case of murder. “The girl before committing suicide called up Mayank, saying that she was not well. When he reached there, he saw her hanging and tried to save her by lowering her body and giving her artificial respiration. The family has not alleged murder before us. We have done post-mortem and sent viscera to the CFSL for further examination,” he stated.

After doing her law from Rayat and Bahra institute last year, Vandana had started practising at the UT district courts. “After doing her schooling from Delhi, she had made up her mind to become a lawyer but her dream ended in despair,” rued her family.