Selja demands judicial probe into Haryana rape allegations

New Delhi: Congress member Kumari Selja today sought a judicial inquiry into the reports of rape of several women in Haryana during the Jat agitation, saying “jungle raj” was prevailing in the state. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Selja said there is “jungle raj” in Haryana and the government has been a “mute spectator” to the large-scale violence during the agitation in the state.

On the reported charges of rape and molestation by Jat quota agitators near Murthal town, Selja said the state government’s enquiry team cannot be trusted and demanded that the High Court should inquire into it.

“We demand a judicial inquiry.” Haryana government has set up a three-member team of women police officers to look into the alleged incidents of rape and molestation of several women by Jat protesters.

Pramod Tiwari of the Congress also demanded a fair probe into the rape and molestation allegations.

T K Rangarajan of the CPI(M) condemned the lodging of a sedition case against party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja and other political leaders in Hyderabad.

An FIR has been registered against Yechury, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, party leaders Anand Sharma and Ajay Maken, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Raja, JD(U)’s KC Tyagi, JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid on the order of a Hyderabad court based on a complaint filed by lawyer Janardhan Goud. Ranjarajan also wanted to know whether the Chair has received any notice of arrest for Yechury and Raja.

Shantaram Naik (Congress) raised the issue of proposed Defence Exposition to be held in South Goa and said the local people were agitated due to the proposed exhibition. “Goa government has succumbed to the pressure of the Centre,” he said, adding that such expositions used to be held at the Pragati Maidan in the national capital.

KVP Ramchandra Rao (Congress) raised the issue of difficulties being faced by palm cultivators in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Sanjiv Kumar of JMM raised took up the issue of farmers affected by the Maithan Power Plant in Jharkhand. He said farmers whose lands were being acquired for the plant should be given permanent jobs and adequate medical facilities.

PTI