The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sheila comments on scribe’s murder draw flak

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Sheila comments on scribe’s murder draw flak

Delhi Chief Minister had reacted to Soumya Viswanathan’s murder saying ‘one should not be adventurous’

‘It is shocking to hear such a statement from the person who has a women-friendly image’
She should rather concentrate on improving the security scenario in the Capital: BJP

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday came under attack from politicos and women activists for her comments on the murder of journalist Soumya Viswanathan that “one should not be adventurous.”

Terming Ms. Dikshit’s observation unwarranted, women activists said the Chief Minister should instead ensure safety of citizens, particularly those working late hours.

Concern over safety

“It is shocking to hear such a statement from the person who has a ‘women-friendly image’. The murder of the girl in the late hours speaks volumes of the safety concerns of women,” activist Ranjana Kumari said.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party too lashed out at Ms. Dikshit saying the “unwarranted” quotes by her were a manifestation of her insensitivity to the security of Delhi citizens.

“Instead of airing such unwarranted statements, she should rather concentrate on improving the security scenario in the Capital,” party leader V.K. Malhotra said.

“India is a free country and everybody is free to do whatever they want to do. If Soumya was an adventurous girl, it was her choice,” Jai Panda, a Rajya Sabha member and Biju Janata Dal leader said.

Woman activist Akhila Sivadas emphasised the need to recognise threats to the safety of citizens on the road. — PTI

Staff Reporter writes:

The Delhi police are probing all angles in the mysterious murder of Soumya Viswanathan, a journalist working with TV news channel Headlines Today, in the absence of any definite lead.

Eyewitness

The police are trying to find out whether anyone had seen Soumya’s car being chased by another vehicle. They have come across a sweeper who claimed to have seen her car veer out of control and ram into the central verge on Nelson Mandela Marg early on Tuesday

Special team

A special team has been constituted under Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Delhi) H.G.S. Dhaliwal to investigate the murder case.

A preliminary examination of Soumya’s mobile ph-one records has not thrown up any significant lead.

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