Haryana Government Transfers Investigation of Teacher's Death to CBI Amid Public Outcry

Investigation Handed Over to CBI

The Haryana government is set to assign the investigation into the death of a 19-year-old teacher in Bhiwani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Her final rites will take place on Thursday after a third autopsy at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. Prior to this decision, villagers had threatened to initiate an indefinite protest if the case was not handed over to the CBI.

Public Anger and Demands for Justice

The teacher's death has sparked significant outrage, leading to road blockades in the district, with opposition parties, including Congress, demanding a CBI inquiry. A heavy police presence was deployed around the village. The body of the teacher, Manisha, was discovered in a field in Bhiwani on August 13, after she had gone missing following a visit to inquire about admission at a nursing college on August 11.

Government's Commitment to Justice

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated on Wednesday that the state government and police are diligently working to ensure justice for Manisha and her family. He announced on social media that the Haryana government would transfer the case to the CBI for a fair investigation, responding to the family's request. A senior police official confirmed that the body had been sent to AIIMS for a third autopsy.

Previous Autopsies and Community Response

Earlier autopsies were conducted at Bhiwani Civil Hospital and PGIMS in Rohtak. Residents of Manisha's ancestral village, Dhani Lakshman, formed a committee to lead protests, urging the government to conduct a CBI investigation and have the autopsy performed at AIIMS in Delhi. On Wednesday, Gurnaam Singh Chadhuni, leader of BKU (Charuni), informed reporters that the autopsy had been completed at AIIMS and that the government had agreed to the demand for a CBI inquiry.

Ongoing Investigations and Controversies

Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Haryana State Women's Commission, visited Bhiwani on Wednesday, stating that she has been regularly seeking updates from the police regarding the case since the discovery of Manisha's body. Amid widespread public anger over the teacher's death, the Haryana government ordered a suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS, and dongle services in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts for 48 hours starting Tuesday at 11 AM. Police claimed on Monday that their investigation indicated that the teacher had committed suicide by ingesting poison. However, her father, Sanjay, rejected this conclusion and demanded justice, refusing to proceed with the cremation, asserting, "My daughter could never commit suicide. I want justice."

New Developments in the Case

Protests by villagers continued regarding the teacher's death. On Monday, the emergence of a purported suicide note shifted the investigation's direction. Bhiwani's Superintendent of Police, Sumit Kumar, reported that the note was found in a bag near Manisha's body, which also contained her Aadhaar card and other documents. Evidence of pesticide purchase was also discovered. He stated, "The viscera samples confirmed the presence of poison in her body, indicating it was self-administered." The police also ruled out any possibility of sexual assault based on the autopsy report. Opposition parties criticized the BJP-led state government, claiming that the alleged murder reflects a breakdown of law and order under their administration. Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda remarked that the state government and police have acted irresponsibly, attempting to portray the entire incident as a suicide.