Congress MLA questioned in Loharu suicide case

After the police questioned the Congress MLA from the Loharu Assembly constituency, Rajbir Fartia, in the ongoing investigation in the suicide case of a college student in Bhiwani district, the Congress MLA alleged that his political opponents were trying to indulge in mud-slinging.

Diksha, a Dalit girl from Fartia Bhima village in Loharu subdivision, was a student of Sharda College for Women — being run by a society headed by the MLA — at Singhani village. In August, Fartia had claimed that he was offering education free of cost to girls.

Bhiwani SP Nitish Agrawal said DSP Dalip Singh was leading the special investigation team (SIT) and the MLA was called for questioning yesterday.

The SP said the police were waiting for some college records related to the victim's appearance in the exam and the fee deposited with the college authorities. “The police have been probing the case from various angles to gather evidence on the basis of the complaint filed by the girl’s family,” he said.

Meanwhile, another committee formed by the Bhiwani DC is also investigating the matter. State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia has also started a probe into the incident as she visited the college and met the family of the victim on January 3.

Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi and Haryana State Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairperson Ravindra Baliala had also visited the victim’s family.

Diksha’s family had alleged that she died by suicide after she was not allowed to sit in the examination and was harassed by some persons, including the college transport incharge and his son, who is a relative of the MLA, and two others.