Moga incident rocks Parliament

Wednesday, 06/05/2015

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NEW DELHI: The Moga molestation case resonated in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, with the Opposition demanding a discussion on the issue and the Rajya Sabha witnessing two adjournments after uproar.

Capt Amarinder Singh, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, and other party leaders outside Parliament House in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Soon after the Rajya Sabha met for the day, Congress members raised the issue, with Ambika Soni alleging that there was a complete breakdown of law and order in Punjab, which necessitated the Centre’s intervention.

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was a “very serious issue as those who are ruling the state are owners of the bus... Police action has been only against those involved in the molestation but owners of the bus have been left out.”

He said the case was incomplete without the owners being booked. “There is anger in Punjab and people of the village did not cremate the body of the victim for three days. Keeping in view the anger in the state, action should be taken against the owners of the bus.”

In the Lok Sabha, Congress members raised the Moga incident and disrupted proceedings of the House, causing several adjournments.

The House witnessed uproar when Capt Amarinder Singh, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, raised the issue of the death of the 13-year-old Moga girl after her molesters threw her off a moving bus — belonging to Orbit company owned by the ruling Badal family of Punjab.

“Law and order situation in Punjab is bleak,” Amarinder said, adding that this was not the first time that Orbit buses had been involved in such cases. Amid protests by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) members, he said the incident was a “culmination” of the “deteriorating” law and order in Punjab.

Other parties in the Rajya Sabha, including the Left, joined in the protest, with Mayawati (Bahujan Samaj Party) demanding imposition of President’s rule in the state.

She said no action had been taken against the culprits. “Life and property of women in Punjab is in danger... President’s rule should be imposed,” she said.

The demand for a discussion on the issue was strongly opposed by SAD members, forcing deputy chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn the House twice, even as the Opposition continued to vociferously press its demand.

FORMER HC CHIEF JUSTICE TO PROBE CASE
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Tuesday appointed Justice VK Bali (retired), former chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court, to probe the Moga molestation incident. He has been told to submit a report within two months.

Harcharan Bains, media adviser to the Punjab CM, said the state government had also decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of another retired judge of the HC to make recommendations for safety of the public, especially women and children, using public transport.

The committee shall be assisted by the principal secretary (transport), state transport commissioner and the ADGP (traffic). The committee shall also make its recommendations in two months.