Saini hits back with Congress-era crime figures

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack on the Congress, citing what he called “brutal” crime incidents during its 2005-14 tenure, and asserting that crime had reduced under BJP rule.

Gangsters stepping in where govt failed

“The law and order has collapsed to such an extent that in the Manisha murder case, a gangster threatened that if the police and government failed to act, he would teach the accused a lesson. — Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former CM

Replying to an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on law and order, Saini presented figures to claim improvement over the past decade. “From 2014 to 2024, murders fell 12.75%, dacoities 49.41%, robberies 10.52% and riots 20.78%, despite a 13.7% rise in population. In contrast, during 2004-14, murders rose 50.8%, dacoities 230%, robberies 258%, and riots 178%. We reversed that trend through enforcement and accountability,” he said.

The CM insisted he had issued a clear warning to criminals: “Apradhiyon Ki Haisiyat Nahin, Kanoon Ki Hukumat Chalti Hai Haryana Mein (Not criminals’ status, but law prevails in Haryana).”

Targeting former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Saini alleged that rape cases had tripled under his regime, rising from 386 in 2004 to 1,174 in 2014. “Hooda is not a bad person, but he didn’t look at rape figures. Why didn’t people get justice?” he asked.

He cited the 2008 case of a woman allegedly raped by policemen in Rohtak, who later committed suicide after delayed action. “Compare this with our Yamunanagar case where a minor’s rapist and killer was arrested within 24 hours and sentenced to death in eight months,” he said.

Hooda hit back, citing recent data: “In 2022, crimes against women in Haryana stood at 16,743 compared to 8,974 in 2014. On the Centre’s Social Progress Index, Haryana is the most unsafe state for women.”

The exchange turned bitter when Saini recited a couplet: “Jiske Kirdar Par Shaitan Bhi Sharminda Hain, Woh Bhi Aaye Hain Naseehat Dene Humko (Those whose character even the devil is ashamed of, have come to lecture us).” Offended, Hooda and Congress MLAs staged a walkout. Saini, hands folded, urged them to stay but later jibed, “They can’t listen, so they have fled.”

The CM also recalled the Apna Ghar scandal in Rohtak and a 2011 case where an INLD MLA accused of murder surrendered dramatically after evading arrest. “Our government is committed to the safety of citizens’ life and property,” Saini said.