AAP worker commits suicide, Sisodia orders magisterial probe

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) A woman Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker committed suicide after a party member, who she accused of sexually harassing her, was released on bail. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has ordered a magisterial probe into the matter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attacking the ruling AAP, said the incident has exposed the anti-women character of the party.

The woman, Soni, who resided in outer Delhi's Narela area with her two daughters and other family members, had filed a police complaint on June 2 about party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for harassing her.

"We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3," a police official said.

"He was granted police bail on June 4," the officer added.

The case was registered under Sections 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said.

In her police complaint, Soni alleged that Wadhwa harassed her continuously and asked for sexual favours. She even raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him, she said.

"On Tuesday, she mixed something into her cold drink and tried to commit suicide around 2 p.m.," the officer said, adding "She was rushed to hospital, but died around 7 p.m."

The officer said that Soni was basically unhappy with her party for not initiating any action against her alleged molester.

Police said that Wadhwa had got a stay on his arrest from the court on June 22.

Meanwhile, family members of the woman alleged that Soni went into depression after bail was granted to the accused.

Taking note of the incident, the Delhi government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of Soni.

Sisodia asked North Delhi's district magistrate to investigate the matter.

"Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry," Sisodia tweeted.

Delhi Women Commission chief Swati Maliwal expressed concern over the incident and demanded stringent action against those behind Soni's suicide.

“Very sad case of Soni suicide. DCW counsellor met SHO, ACP and got her FIR filed. Court gave bail to accused. We demand strictest action in this case,” Maliwal tweeted.

“Suicide case increasing. Many get depressed during battle for justice. DCW to set up special counselling centre for women dealing with depression,” Maliwal said in another tweet.

Attacking the AAP, Delhi unit BJP chief Satish Upadhyay told IANS, "The real face of AAP has been exposed and the suicide by the woman party worker has established the fact that it is an anti-women character party."

"She raised the issue with the party leaders but they kept on ignoring her complaint," Upadhyay said, adding, "And it is not the first incident, around six cases have been filed against AAP leaders for misbehaving with the women who either work with them or go to their office to meet them."