Net suspended in Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani after teacher’s death

Fearing unrest over the death of a 19-year-old schoolteacher under suspicious circumstances, the Haryana Government on Tuesday suspended mobile Internet, bulk SMS and dongle services in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts for 48 hours.

This came as residents of Bhiwani’s Dhani Laxman, the native village of victim Manisha, rejected the “suicide” theory of the police and began an indefinite sit-in seeking a CBI inquiry. They also refused to perform victim’s last rites until the culprits were arrested. The body has been kept at the Bhiwani Civil Hospital.

Manisha had gone missing from her school at Singhani village in Bhiwani on August 11. Two days later, her body was found near a canal on the village outskirts. The police initially claimed it to be a case of murder and registered an FIR under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

However, the police yesterday said she might have died by suicide, pointing to the recovery of a suicide note. They also cited the post-mortem report, which suggested the presence of poison in the body and ruled out any injury from a sharp weapon.

Today, Manisha’s father Sanjay in a video message claimed that his daughter could have never taken own life. “The administration is saying that she ended her life, but I do not believe it. I want justice,” Sanjay said as he made an appeal for support alleging that the administration was pressuring the committee spearheading the agitation seeking justice for Manisha. The villagers then blocked the road from Dhighawa to Dhani Laxman and announced an indefinite sit-in.

The police, however, maintained that the case was being investigated scientifically and in a transparent manner. Rohtak Range IGP Y Poonam Kumar said forensic and medical examinations had confirmed that there were no acid marks on the body or traces of sexual assault. The injuries found on the neck were caused by animal bites after her death, the IGP said.

A suicide note recovered near the body matched Manisha’s handwriting, and the CCTV footage confirmed that she had purchased an insecticide from a local shop, the IG added, while urging public not to spread rumours.

After receiving reports from the ADGP/CID Haryana and the deputy commissioners of both districts, warning of provocative content on social media, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra order the suspension of mobile Internet, bulk SMS (except for banking and recharge) and dongle services till 11 am on August 21. The government said it was a precautionary step to safeguard peace and public property.