Nodeep ‘assault’ case: Women panel seeks report from Sonepat SP

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, February 13

Taking cognisance of reports that labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur (24) was “physically assaulted” by Kundli police station staff while in custody, the Haryana State Commission for Women on Saturday sought a report from Sonepat SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa.

Preeti Bhardwaj, officiating chairperson of the commission, who met Kaur in the Karnal jail today, said, “The labour rights activist refused to take legal help offered by us.”

She said, “I came here to meet Nodeep after taking cognisance of media reports that she was assaulted in custody. I also inquired about the allegations from her. A report in this regard has been sought from the Sonepat SP,” said Preeti Bhardwaj.

Bail plea deferred

Sonepat: The bail plea of activist Nodeep Kaur in another extortion case was on Saturday deferred by a local court. It was set for hearing on February 15. Jitender Kumar, counsel of Nodeep, said the court deferred the hearing in the extortion case registered against the activist and her associates on January 12. TNS

She added that Kaur was fine and had no issues with the Karnal jail authorities, but her co-inmates complained that she was non-cooperative.

Nodeep has been granted bail in an extortion case, but she will have to remain in the jail as she is yet to get bail in two other cases.

Preeti Bhardwaj said her Punjab counterpart Manisha Gulati would visit Kaur on Monday. “The jail authorities have been asked to follow proper protocol during her visit to the jail,” she added.

On the other hand, the Sonepat SP denied allallegations and said they would soon submit reports to the Haryana and Punjab women commissions.

“Nodeep was arrested for extorting money from industrialists. She had even attacked police personnel during the protest,” the SP added.

The police official said Nodeep’s medical examination was conducted soon after the arrest. “There are some videos in our possession in which she can be seen creating a ruckus and taking the law into her hands,” the SP added.