Meerut (UP), Jul 13 (PTI) A Congress delegation comprising MPs and senior leaders was stopped by police at the Kashi toll plaza on Monday while on its way to meet the family of a Dalit woman whose body was found two days after she went missing in Meerut in May, the party said.
The delegation, which included MP Imran Masood and the party’s UP incharge Rajendra Pal Gautam, was forced to turn back after waiting for nearly one-and-a-half hours. The party announced a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 27 and said it will raise the issue in Parliament.
Speaking to PTI after returning, Gautam alleged that the police initially detained the delegation on the pretext of briefing them about the case, before refusing permission to meet the family, citing law and order concerns.
Responding to the allegations, Circle Officer (Daurala) Shiv Thakur told PTI, “The Congress delegation had come to meet the victim’s family and has returned.” He declined to comment further.
According to police, 20-year-old Lalita Gautam, who had gone missing from the TP Nagar area on May 15, was found dead in the Rohta area on May 17. The main accused, Ankush Kumar (23), was arrested on May 18, while another accused was held for allegedly destroying evidence.
The incident had led to a protest by her family and community members. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had attacked the BJP dispensation, saying it has exposed the “anti-Dalit” face of that party’s double-engine government.
The Congress president’s remarks came after seven people were arrested and more than 30 others booked for unlawful assembly and attacking police personnel, among other charges, in connection with the protest over the woman’s murder.
Rajendra Pal Gautam said the Congress had earlier demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation for the victim’s family, a government job for one family member, a speedy investigation, prompt filing of the charge sheet and trial in a fast-track court, but no action had been taken on these demands.
He also alleged that while leaders of some other political parties were allowed to meet the family, the Congress delegation was denied permission.
The Congress delegation included Lok Sabha MPs Imran Masood and Tanuj Punia, Rajya Sabha MP Karamveer Singh Bauddh and AICC OBC Department chairman Anil Jaihind, among others.
Gautam said the party had even proposed that only four members of the delegation be escorted by police to meet the family, but the request was turned down.
He said that the Congress decided against holding a road blockade or protest at the spot as it believed in the Constitution and the rule of law.
He said the party would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 27 and also raise the issue in Parliament.
Earlier, Masood demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the victim’s family, a government job for one family member and the suspension of the Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police.
Punia alleged that the conduct of the officer concerned towards Dalits and Muslims was unconstitutional and sought strict action against him. PTI COR KIS RT RT
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