Almost a week after 13-year-old Arshdeep Kaur was molested and died, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday met her family members to express deep grief over the “very unfortunate” tragic incident.
Sukhbir also made it clear that strictest action would be taken against the culprits for the alleged molestation and death of a teenaged girl in Moga “irrespective of who did the crime”.
Addressing a Press meet, Sukhbir said that the State Government took strictest action into the matter. “Unfortunate incident …Government took strictest action and strictest action will be taken irrespective of who does crime,” said Sukhbir.
Replying to a query about the action taken by the State Government, he said: “We took immediate action against those involved, what else do we doIJ”
“Can we hold your editor accountable if you (reporter) meet with an accidentIJ” he told the reporter.
Sukhbir, meeting Arshdeep’s parents at Moga Civil Hospital, assured them for “exemplary punishment” to the culprits. “Punjab Government is with the aggrieved family and every possible measure would be adopted to bring the culprits before exemplary punishment,” he said.
He said that Punjab would take appropriate steps to safeguard the honour and dignity of women in the State. “The State Government has set up a committee to suggest ways to ensure the complete security for the commuters in public transport,” he added.
Consoling the family, Sukhbir said that when he came to know about the incident, he was personally felt shocked and anguish over the tragic incident and directed the Police administration to take the needful action.
“Requisite directions have also been issued to law enforcing agencies for strict compliance of law and order measures,” he added.
Ending four-day protest on Sunday that had embarrassed the ruling Badal family, Arshdeep’s father had accepted the Punjab Government’s offer of compensation and a job.
The girl’s father, later, performed the last-rites of his deceased daughter late in the evening after sunset after doctors did a post-mortem of the body. Moga Deputy Commissioner Parminder Singh Gill had also informed that Rs24 lakh compensation will be given to the affected family, which would be paid by Orbit Aviation, owners of the bus, instead of district administration.