Notices to Himachal government, CBI on woman’s suicide

SHIMLA - The Himachal Pradesh High Court Friday sought the response of the state government, the state police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition by the family of a woman who allegedly committed suicide after she was rebuffed in her bid to marry a senior police officer’s son.

The family Thursday moved the high court seeking a CBI probe into the incident.

After a preliminary hearing, Chief Justice Kurian Joseph issued the notices to the government, the CBI and the state police. The next hearing will take place April 28.

Ritu, 28, hanged herself from a ceiling fan at her residence here March 28. She was reportedly in love with the son of Inspector General of Police Pradeep Kumar Sarpal and her relatives alleged that she committed suicide after the Sarpals refused to let her marry their son.

Sidharth, a sub-judge in Mandi district, and Ritu were known to each other for 15 years.

As per the first information report, Sarpal, his son and some policemen entered Ritu’s house after her suicide and tried to tamper with the evidence. None of her relatives was present in the house then.

A case has been filed against Sarpal, his wife and their son for abetment to suicide and trying to destroy evidence from the crime scene.

The state government has already ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the case.