Hyderabad girl death: Child Rights Activist appeals to Lokayukta to book parents, Jain gurus for murder

Achuta Rao, a child right activist, on Thursday appealed to the Lokayukta to book the parents and Jain gurus, who are allegedly responsible for the death of 13-year-old girl Aradhana who died after fasting for 68 days, under section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In his police complaint, Rao alleged that the girl's parents and family members made her undertake fast for 68 days as part of a community ritual, which led to her death.

"We are repeatedly asking for IPC Section 302 on the parents and gurus of the Jain community as they forced Aradhana for fast till death. We describe it as a murder, but the police have put this case under Section 304 A, which is culpable homicide not amounting to murder," Rao said.

The Lokayukta for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana today sought a report from the Hyderabad Police in this connection.

"Today we have approached the Lokayukta to direct the police to include Section 302 in the FIR made by the Market Police Station. So, the Lokayukta heard our argument and issued a notice to the DCP, North Zone, directing him to include Section 302," he added.

Speaking on the delay on the part of the police and administration, Rao said, "We don't understand why there is a delay from the administration side or the police side or any side, because the death happened on 3rd and today is the 13th. It has been ten days. But, we have faith in the Constitution and the law of this land as we are democratic people."

"We are getting threats from certain corners not to proceed with this case, but as a children's organisation, we will not stop our movement. We are also appealing to all political parties and organisations, irrespective of their ideologies to come forward and fight till justice is rendered to the child," he added.

On October 9, the parents and other family members of the girl, a student of class VIII in a private school, were booked on charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder for causing her death, police had said.

A case was registered with the Market Police here under section 304 (II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC and section 75 of JJ (Juvenile Justice) Act against the teenage girl's parents and others.

The girl's parents, who reside at Pot Bazar of Secunderabad, have already been questioned over her death.