Activists slam AAP, demand probe into woman activist's suicide

Demanding a through probe into the suicide of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) woman activist, who had accused her party colleague of sexually harassing her, the women activists on Wednesday said this episode is shameful on part of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party which came as an outfit with a difference.

Woman activist Kavita Srivastava wondered as to under what compulsions did the AAP member commit the suicide.

Srivastava said, "If the woman leaves behind a suicide note and if she names any party, institution or individual then proper investigation should be done with immediate effect as to what were the compulsions and under what pressure did she take such a step."

"May be she was being degraded and may be things were going against her desires, we need to see all this," Srivastava told ANI.

Srivastava further asserted that the Delhi Police should immediately investigate the matter.

"Be it the AAP or any party, it doesn't matter, it (Police) is an institution and to seek accountability is very important," she added.

Another woman activist Abha Singh on her part said that the AAP worker, who had allegedly molested her was out on bail which had left the woman depressed.

"The Aam Aadmi Party did not initiate any action and did not speak in favour of this woman and wanted to get rid of the situation," Singh added.

"I believe that a lawsuit of IPC 354 has been filed against the person, who molested her. But abetment to suicide should be registered against the party workers, who did not help her due to which she got frustrated and committed suicide," Singh said.

Singh further said that the Delhi Police should conduct a proper inquiry in this case and should record everyone's statement.

"This is a matter of shame that the Aam Aadmi Party, which came to power as a party with a difference, which wanted the youth to come along, they themselves could not respect women and could not give justice to women due to which their party worker committed suicide," Singh added.

The AAP activist allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of north-west Delhi earlier on Tuesday with her family members claiming that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague identified as Ramesh Bhardwaj, was released on bail.

The woman, who consumed poison at her residence, died during treatment at Delhi's LNJP Hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately. A case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested and subsequently bailed.