The Delhi Government has ordered an inquiry into the suicide of Pavitra Bhardwaj, a former employee of BR Ambedkar College, who died on Monday after immolating herself.
After much hue and cry over the alleged sexual harassment by the principal GK Arora and another staffer of the college, the Delhi Government has asked the Director of Higher Education SP Dixit to carry out an inquiry and submit a report within three weeks.
The initiative taken by the Government has failed to please Pavitra’s husband Dharmendra, who is a Head Constable with Delhi Police, who feels that the Government is only delaying justice.
“When Pavitra has named the principal in her dying declaration, what more inquiry does the Government wantIJ What will they inquire aboutIJ Already eight days have passed since my wife set herself on fire, what action have they takenIJ It is all a trick to suppress the matter,” said Dharmendra, adding they will step up pressure on Delhi Police to at least register an FIR, which they have been seeking for several years.
Meanwhile, agonised over Pavitra’s death as well as inaction on the part of the university committees, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and Academics for Action and Development (AAD) have pressed for immediate arrest of the accused principal and are determined to continue protests in the Capital. “We will stage a dharna outside police HQs and university campus in the next two days and step up pressure on the police to register an FIR against Arora and arrest him in right earnest. For three years, there has been no action, but we will make sure justice is delivered soon,” said Abha Dev Habib, member, Executive Council, DUTA.
The DUTA and AAD held a media briefing on Tuesday to devise a plan of action to make sure justice is served to Pavitra and her family. The AAD also approached Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to take the principal to task and highlighted the need to act tough on cases of crimes against women. Dikshit assured action and ordered an inquiry into the matter.
“The principal has to be suspended immediately. He can misuse his power and influence witnesses if he remains in a position of authority. A fair inquiry can take place only when he is suspended,” said Abha.