The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came out in support of the victim in the Chandigarh stalking case on Monday, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding the accused and blaming the woman instead.
AAP MLA Alka Lamba and Richa Pandey Mishra, president of the party’s women wing in Delhi, alleged that the BJP was trying to shield the accused as he was the son of a senior party leader.
‘Pressure on cops’
“The Chandigarh Police had initially booked the accused under non-bailable sections, but these charges were dropped within minutes. Just like the Delhi Police, the Chandigarh Police also reports to the BJP-led Centre. We would like to know under what pressure were these charges diluted,” asked Ms. Lamba.
She also said that the ‘daughter of India’ should be saved from ‘BJP’s son’.
“The BJP had come up with the slogan of Beti Bachao , but their leaders did not even blink an eyelid before questioning the integrity of the complainant, asking her questions such as why she was out at night. These people are ready to go to any extent to save their sons, who they know have committed a heinous crime,” said Ms. Lamba.
According to her, the victim, who had gathered the courage to speak up, was being shamed and forced into silence.
CM extends support
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also extended support to the woman and demanded stringent punishment for the accused.
“Those who followed Varnika should be punished, no matter how influential they might be. Otherwise, people’s belief in the judicial system will be marred,” Mr. Kejriwal tweeted on Monday.
‘High on power’
The AAP leaders said that it was not just the BJP leaders, but their family members too who were high on power. They alleged that the BJP’s big doyens had proved that they would go to any extent — be it deploying the police and the entire system — to save their “spoilt” children.
Ms. Mishra also seconded Ms. Lamba’s allegations and demanded the BJP’s reaction on why charges against the two accused were diluted, and how CCTV footage was ‘tampered with and destroyed’ in the high-security Union Territory.
“The BJP has started a vilification campaign against the victim. This is not the first time that they have unleashed an army of trolls against the victim in a case where a BJP leader is involved,” Ms. Mishra added.
