News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Haryana Police visits Sonali Phogat’s farmhouse in Hisar to investigate theft complaint

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Police on Tuesday visited the farmhouse of BJP leader Sonali Phogat to probe a complaint of theft lodged by her family members.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star from Hisar in Haryana and a contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, was brought dead to a hospital in north Goa on August 23, a day after arriving in the coastal state with two of her male companions.

    Her family alleged that a laptop, digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras and some documents were stolen from the farmhouse recently, police said.

    They claimed that Shivam, an aide of the BJP leader’s associate Sudhir Sangwan, had taken these things from the farmhouse after the news of her death on August 23.

    The family also met Hisar’s Superintendent of Police Lokender Singh and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

    “A theft case was registered on their complaint a few days ago. We have assured them of a thorough investigation in the case is on,” Singh told reporters in Hisar on Tuesday.

    When asked what was the complaint, Singh said, “It has been stated that at the behest of one of her associates, his subordinate Shivam, who worked as an accountant, stole some documents, a laptop and other articles from the farmhouse”.

    A Hisar police official also visited the farmhouse in connection with the investigations in the case.

    While Phogat’s family has raised suspicion of foul play in her death, her teenage daughter Yashodhara reiterated their demand of a CBI probe into the incident.

    “We want a CBI probe. We want justice,” she said.

    The Goa Police have so far arrested five persons, including two of Phogat’s associates, in connection with the case.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said in Panaji the investigation into the case would now be conducted by a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer.

    The probe into the case was earlier conducted by a police inspector-level officer.

    Haryana’s Home Minister Anil Vij had on Monday said the state government has written to the Goa government requesting it to recommend a CBI probe into the death of the BJP leader.

    The move came after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance to Phogat’s family members who met him at his residence here on Saturday evening and sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into her death.

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Police on Tuesday visited the farmhouse of BJP leader Sonali Phogat to probe a complaint of theft lodged by her family members.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star from Hisar in Haryana and a contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, was brought dead to a hospital in north Goa on August 23, a day after arriving in the coastal state with two of her male companions.

    Her family alleged that a laptop, digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras and some documents were stolen from the farmhouse recently, police said.

    They claimed that Shivam, an aide of the BJP leader’s associate Sudhir Sangwan, had taken these things from the farmhouse after the news of her death on August 23.

    The family also met Hisar’s Superintendent of Police Lokender Singh and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

    “A theft case was registered on their complaint a few days ago. We have assured them of a thorough investigation in the case is on,” Singh told reporters in Hisar on Tuesday.

    When asked what was the complaint, Singh said, “It has been stated that at the behest of one of her associates, his subordinate Shivam, who worked as an accountant, stole some documents, a laptop and other articles from the farmhouse”.

    A Hisar police official also visited the farmhouse in connection with the investigations in the case.

    While Phogat’s family has raised suspicion of foul play in her death, her teenage daughter Yashodhara reiterated their demand of a CBI probe into the incident.

    “We want a CBI probe. We want justice,” she said.

    The Goa Police have so far arrested five persons, including two of Phogat’s associates, in connection with the case.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said in Panaji the investigation into the case would now be conducted by a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer.

    The probe into the case was earlier conducted by a police inspector-level officer.

    Haryana’s Home Minister Anil Vij had on Monday said the state government has written to the Goa government requesting it to recommend a CBI probe into the death of the BJP leader.

    The move came after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance to Phogat’s family members who met him at his residence here on Saturday evening and sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into her death.

  • Pradhan could be Nadda successor as party’s president

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Amid the Congress deciding to elect a new party president in mid-October, a bit of churning on BJP national president J P Nadda’s successor has already begun within the ruling party. His first three-year term in office ends in January next.

    Speculation is rife that Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan could be handed over the baton if the Big Two in the party decide against giving Nadda an extension. Two ideas are floating around on Nadda’s extension — for one year till the next general elections or for a full three-year term. The national president of the party can have a maximum of two consecutive terms in office.

    A senior leader said: “If Nadda does not get one-year extension, Pradhan could be his successor. Another name in circulation is Bhupendra Yadav.” However, the possibility of Nadda getting a one-year extension is bright since he has served the party well, another source said. “BJP’s performance in many states improved under Nadda’s leadership,” the leader pointed out. But he may not get a full second term.

    Pradhan brings to the table his deep experience in organisational matters and has excellent negotiating skills. He cut his organisational teeth while working with the ABVP during his student life. “He is sharp and witty and has the ability to forge alliances with like-minded parties,” said a BJP leader.

    Pradhan is also considered a troubleshooter in the Arun Jaitley mould. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigns him tasks whenever the party faces problems and he known to sort them out tactfully. When the government struggled to implement the National Education Policy, 2020, during Ramesh Pokhriyal’s stint as Union education minister, Modi stripped him of the charge and handed it over to Pradhan last year. As for Bhupendra Yadav, he has recently been inducted in the party’s Central Election Committee. “But Pradhan is way ahead in the race to replace Nadda whenever that happens,” a BJP leader said. 

    NEW DELHI:  Amid the Congress deciding to elect a new party president in mid-October, a bit of churning on BJP national president J P Nadda’s successor has already begun within the ruling party. His first three-year term in office ends in January next.

    Speculation is rife that Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan could be handed over the baton if the Big Two in the party decide against giving Nadda an extension. Two ideas are floating around on Nadda’s extension — for one year till the next general elections or for a full three-year term. The national president of the party can have a maximum of two consecutive terms in office.

    A senior leader said: “If Nadda does not get one-year extension, Pradhan could be his successor. Another name in circulation is Bhupendra Yadav.” However, the possibility of Nadda getting a one-year extension is bright since he has served the party well, another source said. “BJP’s performance in many states improved under Nadda’s leadership,” the leader pointed out. But he may not get a full second term.

    Pradhan brings to the table his deep experience in organisational matters and has excellent negotiating skills. He cut his organisational teeth while working with the ABVP during his student life. “He is sharp and witty and has the ability to forge alliances with like-minded parties,” said a BJP leader.

    Pradhan is also considered a troubleshooter in the Arun Jaitley mould. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigns him tasks whenever the party faces problems and he known to sort them out tactfully. When the government struggled to implement the National Education Policy, 2020, during Ramesh Pokhriyal’s stint as Union education minister, Modi stripped him of the charge and handed it over to Pradhan last year. 
    As for Bhupendra Yadav, he has recently been inducted in the party’s Central Election Committee. “But Pradhan is way ahead in the race to replace Nadda whenever that happens,” a BJP leader said. 

  • UP: Amethi lekhpal, who failed to recognise Smriti Irani over phone, faces probe

    By PTI

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension.

    On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension.

    On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

  • Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to take majority test today to prove no defection in AAP

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will table a motion of confidence in the Delhi Assembly on Monday to prove that no party MLA has defected and for that purpose, the special session of the Delhi Assembly has been extended by one day.

    This comes amid claims that the BJP was trying to topple the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital.

    Speaking at Delhi Legislative Assembly on Friday, Kejriwal said the confidence motion will be brought to show people that “Operation Lotus” has become “Operation keechad” in the national capital.

    “It is being said that they broke away a number of MLAs. I received phone calls, people asked me if everything is alright. I would like to bring a Confidence Motion in House to show people that not even one went away, that BJP’s Operation Lotus became “Operation keechad” here.”

    Kejriwal had made a scathing attack on the BJP claiming that his legislators were offered Rs 20 crore each by the party for switching sides.

    Kejriwal alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has purchased 277 MLAs till now across the country.

    “We have calculated that 277 MLAs have come to their party (BJP), now if they would have given Rs 20 crore to each MLA then they have bought MLAs worth Rs 5,500 crore. That is why there is inflation as they are using all the money to buy MLAs at expense of the common man,” he said.

    ALSO READ: BJP MLAs marshalled out of Delhi Assembly ahead of trust vote

    He further alleged that the recent raids on AAP leaders by probe agencies are linked to Gujarat assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place later this year.

    “All anti-national forces have come together against Delhi’s AAP govt, ours is the most popular government, and these forces want to break us but all our MLAs are together. They will fabricate false cases against us till Gujarat polls,” said Kejriwal.

    Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had also claimed that the BJP had offered to “shut all cases” against him if he quit the AAP and crossed over.

    The CBI recently raided Sisodia in the excise policy case which was introduced earlier this year and then rolled back.

    Meanwhile, the AAP has 62 MLAs in the 70-member Delhi assembly while the BJP has eight and needs 28 more for a majority. (ANI)

    NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will table a motion of confidence in the Delhi Assembly on Monday to prove that no party MLA has defected and for that purpose, the special session of the Delhi Assembly has been extended by one day.

    This comes amid claims that the BJP was trying to topple the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital.

    Speaking at Delhi Legislative Assembly on Friday, Kejriwal said the confidence motion will be brought to show people that “Operation Lotus” has become “Operation keechad” in the national capital.

    “It is being said that they broke away a number of MLAs. I received phone calls, people asked me if everything is alright. I would like to bring a Confidence Motion in House to show people that not even one went away, that BJP’s Operation Lotus became “Operation keechad” here.”

    Kejriwal had made a scathing attack on the BJP claiming that his legislators were offered Rs 20 crore each by the party for switching sides.

    Kejriwal alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has purchased 277 MLAs till now across the country.

    “We have calculated that 277 MLAs have come to their party (BJP), now if they would have given Rs 20 crore to each MLA then they have bought MLAs worth Rs 5,500 crore. That is why there is inflation as they are using all the money to buy MLAs at expense of the common man,” he said.

    ALSO READ: BJP MLAs marshalled out of Delhi Assembly ahead of trust vote

    He further alleged that the recent raids on AAP leaders by probe agencies are linked to Gujarat assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place later this year.

    “All anti-national forces have come together against Delhi’s AAP govt, ours is the most popular government, and these forces want to break us but all our MLAs are together. They will fabricate false cases against us till Gujarat polls,” said Kejriwal.

    Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had also claimed that the BJP had offered to “shut all cases” against him if he quit the AAP and crossed over.

    The CBI recently raided Sisodia in the excise policy case which was introduced earlier this year and then rolled back.

    Meanwhile, the AAP has 62 MLAs in the 70-member Delhi assembly while the BJP has eight and needs 28 more for a majority. (ANI)

  • ‘He is anti-woman’: Sushil Modi demands Surendra Yadav’s removal from Nitish Cabinet

    By PTI

    PATNA: Senior BJP leader, Sushil Kumar Modi, on Sunday demanded the removal of Bihar Co-operative minister, Surendra Prasad Yadav, from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet for his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

    Modi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, had recently demanded the resignation of state Agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for his alleged involvement in the rice scam.

    Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Modi, said, “Yadav, an accused in a case registered on June 15, 2018, under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, must be dismissed from the Nitish Kumar cabinet”.

    Yadav, an RJD MLA, was recently charge-sheeted by a Pocso court for revealing the identity of a gang rape victim, he alleged.

    A person like Yadav, who is “anti-woman”, does not deserve to be a minister at all, said the BJP Rajya Sabha member.

    “On July 13, 1998, when the then Union home minister L K Advani stood up to speak on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Surendra Yadav, as the then RJD MP, entered the well of the House and tore the copy of the Bill into pieces after snatching it from him. He is anti-woman”, said Modi.

    Reacting to Modi’s comments, the RJD said the allegations were “baseless”.

    RJD spokesperson, Mrityunjay Tiwary, told PTI, “This Mahagathbandhan government has given employment to Modi. Since he has been sidelined by the central leadership of the saffron party, he is keeping himself engaged by making such baseless allegations.”

    PATNA: Senior BJP leader, Sushil Kumar Modi, on Sunday demanded the removal of Bihar Co-operative minister, Surendra Prasad Yadav, from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet for his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

    Modi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, had recently demanded the resignation of state Agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for his alleged involvement in the rice scam.

    Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Modi, said, “Yadav, an accused in a case registered on June 15, 2018, under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, must be dismissed from the Nitish Kumar cabinet”.

    Yadav, an RJD MLA, was recently charge-sheeted by a Pocso court for revealing the identity of a gang rape victim, he alleged.

    A person like Yadav, who is “anti-woman”, does not deserve to be a minister at all, said the BJP Rajya Sabha member.

    “On July 13, 1998, when the then Union home minister L K Advani stood up to speak on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Surendra Yadav, as the then RJD MP, entered the well of the House and tore the copy of the Bill into pieces after snatching it from him. He is anti-woman”, said Modi.

    Reacting to Modi’s comments, the RJD said the allegations were “baseless”.

    RJD spokesperson, Mrityunjay Tiwary, told PTI, “This Mahagathbandhan government has given employment to Modi. Since he has been sidelined by the central leadership of the saffron party, he is keeping himself engaged by making such baseless allegations.”

  • PM Modi inaugurates Smriti Van memorial for earthquake victims

    By PTI

    BHUJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated Smriti Van memorial, which celebrates the resilience shown by people during the devastating 2001 earthquake in the Kutch region of Gujarat.

    Modi said Smriti Van is a tribute to the lost lives and the remarkable fighting spirit of the people of Kutch.

    The memorial has been built over nearly 470 acres to celebrate the spirit of resilience, following the death of 13,000 people during the 2001 earthquake which had its epicentre in Bhuj.

    The memorial carries names of the people, who lost their lives during the earthquake. It also has a state-of-the-art Smriti Van Earthquake Museum.

    The museum showcases Gujarat’s topography, rebuilding initiatives and success stories after the 2001 earthquake, and informs about different kinds of disasters and future readiness for any type of disaster.

    It also has a block to relive the experience of an earthquake with the help of a 5D simulator and another block for people to pay homage to the lost souls.

    BHUJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated Smriti Van memorial, which celebrates the resilience shown by people during the devastating 2001 earthquake in the Kutch region of Gujarat.

    Modi said Smriti Van is a tribute to the lost lives and the remarkable fighting spirit of the people of Kutch.

    The memorial has been built over nearly 470 acres to celebrate the spirit of resilience, following the death of 13,000 people during the 2001 earthquake which had its epicentre in Bhuj.

    The memorial carries names of the people, who lost their lives during the earthquake. It also has a state-of-the-art Smriti Van Earthquake Museum.

    The museum showcases Gujarat’s topography, rebuilding initiatives and success stories after the 2001 earthquake, and informs about different kinds of disasters and future readiness for any type of disaster.

    It also has a block to relive the experience of an earthquake with the help of a 5D simulator and another block for people to pay homage to the lost souls.

  • Sonali Phogat case: Goa police arrest one more drug peddler

    By PTI

    PANAJI: The Goa Police have arrested one more drug peddler in connection with the case of alleged murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, an official said on Sunday.

    With this, five people have so far been arrested in the case.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality show “Big Boss”, died on August 23, a day after arrival in Goa.

    On Saturday night, the Anjuna police in North Goa district arrested drug peddler Rama alias Ramadas Mandrekar for allegedly supplying drugs to another peddler Dattaprasad Gaonkar, who is already in custody in connection with the case, the official said.

    Gaonkar had allegedly supplied drugs to two other accused Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, who accompanied Phogat on the Goa trip, police earlier said.

    PANAJI: The Goa Police have arrested one more drug peddler in connection with the case of alleged murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, an official said on Sunday.

    With this, five people have so far been arrested in the case.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality show “Big Boss”, died on August 23, a day after arrival in Goa.

    On Saturday night, the Anjuna police in North Goa district arrested drug peddler Rama alias Ramadas Mandrekar for allegedly supplying drugs to another peddler Dattaprasad Gaonkar, who is already in custody in connection with the case, the official said.

    Gaonkar had allegedly supplied drugs to two other accused Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, who accompanied Phogat on the Goa trip, police earlier said.

  • Azad’s resignation shows ‘lack of internal democracy’ in Congress: BJP’s Jitendra Singh 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation from Congress was an internal matter of the party, even though it showed ‘lack of internal democracy’ in the party.

    He said BJP is the only option left in the country with its democratic values.

    “It is an internal matter of Congress but as a responsible citizen of a democratic country, one expects that there should be internal democracy in every party, just as we follow the democratic values,” Singh, the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s office, said here on Azad’s resignation.

    “If internal democracy is not followed in the party, then it is a cause of concern for its leaders and they should think over it,” he said.

    The minister said a recent survey has put Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the top of the list of the ‘most popular world leaders with an approval rating of 75 per cent and Congress too should be proud of the fact.

    “BJP is the only option left in the country. Modi is not only popular in the country but a recent survey at the international level put him at the top spot once again, which is a proud moment for all of us. Congress should also be proud of it as an Indian leader has emerged as the most popular leader at the global level,” he said.

    Asked whether BJP will welcome Azad in its fold, he said it is up to him to decide his next course of action. “It will be his decision what to do next.”

    On the timing of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it is the prerogative of the Election commission of India to decide the date of the polls and BJP has no role in it.

    Earlier, addressing a seminar on ‘waste to wealth’ organised under ‘Ek Kaam Desh Ke Naam’ programme here, he said there is a need to create awareness about several waste products which can help people generate income with little effort.

    He said cooked oil from kitchens could be sold at about Rs 20 per litre to the industries which have the technology to convert it into alternative fuel.

    He also said that fly ash, produced during the combustion of coal, could be used for making bricks for construction.

    Referring to the ‘Amrit Kaal’, the PM’s buzzword for great times ahead, the minister said that India will see a surge in its economy in the next 25 years, and this will come on the back of resources, which have yet been unexplored or couldn’t be utilised because of lack of technology.

    JAMMU: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation from Congress was an internal matter of the party, even though it showed ‘lack of internal democracy’ in the party.

    He said BJP is the only option left in the country with its democratic values.

    “It is an internal matter of Congress but as a responsible citizen of a democratic country, one expects that there should be internal democracy in every party, just as we follow the democratic values,” Singh, the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s office, said here on Azad’s resignation.

    “If internal democracy is not followed in the party, then it is a cause of concern for its leaders and they should think over it,” he said.

    The minister said a recent survey has put Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the top of the list of the ‘most popular world leaders with an approval rating of 75 per cent and Congress too should be proud of the fact.

    “BJP is the only option left in the country. Modi is not only popular in the country but a recent survey at the international level put him at the top spot once again, which is a proud moment for all of us. Congress should also be proud of it as an Indian leader has emerged as the most popular leader at the global level,” he said.

    Asked whether BJP will welcome Azad in its fold, he said it is up to him to decide his next course of action. “It will be his decision what to do next.”

    On the timing of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it is the prerogative of the Election commission of India to decide the date of the polls and BJP has no role in it.

    Earlier, addressing a seminar on ‘waste to wealth’ organised under ‘Ek Kaam Desh Ke Naam’ programme here, he said there is a need to create awareness about several waste products which can help people generate income with little effort.

    He said cooked oil from kitchens could be sold at about Rs 20 per litre to the industries which have the technology to convert it into alternative fuel.

    He also said that fly ash, produced during the combustion of coal, could be used for making bricks for construction.

    Referring to the ‘Amrit Kaal’, the PM’s buzzword for great times ahead, the minister said that India will see a surge in its economy in the next 25 years, and this will come on the back of resources, which have yet been unexplored or couldn’t be utilised because of lack of technology.

  • Sonali Phogat was administered methamphetamine drugs by accused: Goa police 

    Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said leftovers from the drugs which were given to her at Curlies Restaurant at Anjuna have been seized from the restaurant's washroom.

  • BJP leader Sonali Phogat’s last rites held in Haryana

    By PTI

    HISAR: The last rites of Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat, who died under mysterious circumstances in Goa, were held here on Friday even as a large number of people turned up to pay their last respects.

    Phogat’s teenage daughter Yashodhara lit the funeral pyre as she and the other family members bade her a tearful adieu at the cremation ground in Rishi Nagar.

    Phogat, who started her career as a news anchor, later found fame on video hosting platform TikTok and also acted in a few movies.

    On Thursday evening, her body was brought to her farmhouse here from Goa to enable people pay their tributes. Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, the BJP MLA from Hisar, and another party leader Kuldeep Bishnoi were present.

    On August 23 morning, Phogat was rushed to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa, where she was declared dead. Her husband, too, had died under mysterious circumstances a few years ago.

    Though initially, it was assumed that she may have died due to a heart attack, a post-mortem report mentioned that there were “multiple blunt force injuries” on her body, prompting the Goa Police to press charges of murder against two of her associates Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Wasi.

    Her brother Rinku Dhaka had filed a complaint against the two men at Anjuna Police Station on Wednesday.

    On Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said his government will consider handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the Phogat family wanted so.

    On Friday, Kuldeep Bishnoi said he had spoken to the chief minister and urged him for a CBI inquiry.

    HISAR: The last rites of Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat, who died under mysterious circumstances in Goa, were held here on Friday even as a large number of people turned up to pay their last respects.

    Phogat’s teenage daughter Yashodhara lit the funeral pyre as she and the other family members bade her a tearful adieu at the cremation ground in Rishi Nagar.

    Phogat, who started her career as a news anchor, later found fame on video hosting platform TikTok and also acted in a few movies.

    On Thursday evening, her body was brought to her farmhouse here from Goa to enable people pay their tributes. Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, the BJP MLA from Hisar, and another party leader Kuldeep Bishnoi were present.

    On August 23 morning, Phogat was rushed to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa, where she was declared dead. Her husband, too, had died under mysterious circumstances a few years ago.

    Though initially, it was assumed that she may have died due to a heart attack, a post-mortem report mentioned that there were “multiple blunt force injuries” on her body, prompting the Goa Police to press charges of murder against two of her associates Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Wasi.

    Her brother Rinku Dhaka had filed a complaint against the two men at Anjuna Police Station on Wednesday.

    On Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said his government will consider handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the Phogat family wanted so.

    On Friday, Kuldeep Bishnoi said he had spoken to the chief minister and urged him for a CBI inquiry.