BJP, AAP enagage in war of words over woman's suicide

A bitter war of words ensued today over the alleged suicide of a woman Aam Aadmi Party activist, with BJP holding the party responsible for the death, even as AAP accused the saffron party of playing politics "over dead bodies".
AAP spokesperson Ashutosh tore into BJP leader Vijender Gupta for allegedly "hijacking" the family of the victim and coming in the way of postmortem of the body. Gupta was forcing the family members of the woman to name AAP in the case, he alleged.
At a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Gupta alleged that the entire AAP dispensation was "responsible" for the death of the 28-year-old woman, who had been "sexually harassed" by a few "members of AAP" for past few months.

Faced with a barrage of queries by journalists at the press conference as to whether the party was not politicising the case, BJP Delhi Satish Upadhyay said, "If we do not take up people's issues then who will? We will try to get justice for the family and if needed will meet the Home Minister too."
AAP's Delhi Convenor Dilip Pandey claimed that the accused Ramesh, who was arrested and later released on bail, was not a member of AAP as being claimed by BJP and that the party had extended all possible help to the woman when she had approached it with the complaint.

"It is a fact that she had contacted the party. The party assisted her and got an FIR lodged. In fact the Chief Minister's Office had called the DCP office in this regard, but the police chose not to act and the accused secured bail.

"BJP leader Vijender Gupta is politicising the issue. He has stalled the postmortem of the body. BJP has a history of doing politics over dead bodies," Pandey told reporters.
Ashutosh accused Gupta of "stooping" to an unprecedented low and alleged that the woman was to be cremated at 1 PM at Nigambodh Ghat but even that could not take place.

"Gupta has taken the family of the victim somewhere. The family is being forced to name AAP in the case. What sort of politics is this?" Ashutosh asked.
Gupta also claimed that the family was not supported by the DCW when it had gone there seeking help in the case.
However, DCW chief Swati Maliwal today tweeted, "V sad case of Soni suicide. DCW counselor met SHO ACP n got her FIR filed. Court gv bail to accused. We demand strictest action in this case."
The woman allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of outer Delhi yesterday. Her family members claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester was released on bail.

The husband of the victim today claimed her death was an
abetment to suicide case and demanded justice for her.
The 28-year-old woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at the LNJP Hospital yesterday.
The victim's husband, Ashok Mishra, was speaking at a press conference organised by BJP at its Delhi unit headquarters here, prompting the AAP government to accuse it of "politicising the issue".
Sitting besides Gupta, Mishra claimed, "My wife and family were being threatened and harassed by few men, owing allegiance to AAP, for several months, driving her into depression."

"This is not a suicide, this is an an abetment to suicide case. She was driven to take her life. And we want justice for her," he said.
Mishra said his family hailed from Ara in Bihar and had moved to Delhi a few years ago.
"I was in Surat when I heard of her death and I came to Delhi today only. My friends had taken my wife to hospital after it was found she had consumed something poisonous," he said.
The woman had filed a complaint against Ramesh, who she claimed was a party colleague, for allegedly touching her inappropriately. A case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, a senior police officer said.

He was later released on bail.
Her family members told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA of the party.
"We had sent a written complaint to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after we couldn't meet him. We tried seeking help of AAP but in vain," he claimed.
AAP has refuted the allegations and accused BJP of "playing politics" over her death.
AAP spokesperson Ashutosh tore into Gupta for allegedly "hijacking" the family of the victim and coming in the way of postmortem of the body.

Mishra, when asked about the body said, "I have not taken the body from the morgue. But, we will do it now and perform the last rites.