Two BJP Corporators face probe in Rajkot self-immolation case

Two BJP Corporators are facing police investigation in connection with an incident where five members of a Nepalese family immolated themselves, leading to death of three of them here on Wednesday.
The five set themselves on fire in Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC)'s central zone office on April 3 fearing eviction from the house they had been staying in for 30 years.
Three of them, Bharat Mansingh Vishwakarma (40), his wife Asha (35) and brother Girish (27), died at Civil Hospital here, while two other family members Rekha (30) and Vasumati (60) are battling for life.
Girish, in his dying declaration, named BJP Councillors Kamlesh Mirani and Rajbha Zala and alleged they had threatened to evict the family members from their house in Chhotu Nagar Cooperative Housing Society.

Police Commissioner H P Singh today said names of these Corporators were mentioned by Girish in his statement recorded before his death. "On the basis of Girish's statement we have started probe against the two Corporators and will arrest them if required," Singh said.
However, both Corporators have rejected the charge levelled against them and said Opposition Congress was politicising the issue.

The family members took the step fearing they would have to surrender their house after losing a case against the housing society in a civil court. Society members wanted them to vacate the plot and had approached the court and BJP-ruled RMC for their eviction.

The family was allowed to construct a small hut in 900 sq yard common plot of housing society in Raiya Dhar area. But they covered the entire plot and built a full-fledged house, leading the society members to move court. Bharat Vishwakarma worked as a security guard at the housing society.
RMC has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family, while Congress said it will provide a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh.