Telangana: Cops fail to file charges in Aradhana death case
Aradhana belonging to the Jain community died after fasting continuously for 68 days and spending two days in hospital.
Hyderabad: The police has not yet filed a charge sheet in the Aradhana case even after the 90-day deadline. Probe officials said that the doctors of Gandhi Hospital, who treated Aradhana, has not yet filed a detailed report. As the body was cremated soon after death, police had submitted a questionnaire to the doctors to confirm the cause of death.
The victim's parents, who were accused of culpable homicide in the First Information Report, had obtained an order from the High Court barring their arrest. Pressure from hundreds of Jain organisations is mounting on the police to drop the case. “Investigation is still going on. We had submitted a set of questions to the doctors of Gandhi Hospital to get details of Aradhana’s death and its reasons. We are still waiting to hear from them,” said Market police inspector M. Mattaiah.
“Aradhana's parents approached the HC and got an order barring us from arresting them. The order said that the police can investigate the case without taking them into custody. So we have only recorded their statements,” the inspector added.
Child rights activists of the city has demanded quick action in the Aradhana case. Thirteen-year-old Aradhana belonging to the Jain community died after fasting continuously for 68 days and spending two days in hospital.
As police started investigation, Jains launched a campaign to glorify Aradhana by declaring her a saint. Hundreds of Jain organisations from across India have been sending letters to top police officials and the government explaining the importance of fasting in their religion. They also asked the police to drop the case against Aradhana’s parents.
HC bars parents’ arrest
Aradhana's parents approached the HC and got an order barring their arrest, the order said police must investigate the case without taking them into custody.
As a result, the police has taken only the statement of the parents. Meanwhile, Jains launched a campaign asking cops not to file a case against the parents.