Parents of Nirupama’s boyfriend say they have proof to nail her parents

DARBHANGA - The parents of Priyabhanshu Ranjan, the boyfriend of Business Standard journalist Nirupama Pathak, who was found dead in mysterious circumstances at her village home in Jharkhand’s Koderma District in April, have claimed they have mobile proof that could nail the complicity of her parents in what they say is murder.

In a startling claim, Priyabhanshu’s father said he had Nirupama’s last SMS in which she said that she had been locked inside a bathroom and was not being allowed to go out.

He also said that a similar message had come from his son, who was in Delhi.

The revelation came Koderma Police served notices to the three doctors who performed a post mortem on Nirupama Pathak.

Police said they will also interrogate the doctors today.

Students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) organised a candlelight vigil in New Delhi on Saturday to seek justice for Nirupama.

The vigil was held at India Gate under the banner ‘Justice for Nirupama’ in which eminent social activists and journalist participated.

Neelam Katara, the mother of Ajay Katara, who was murdered by Vikas and Vishal Yadav in 2002, opined that the investigation should be shifted outside the state.

“In last few days, so much has been talked about the police. The investigation cannot take place independently till it shifts outside the state. So, I think the investigation should come out of Jharkhand,” said Katara.

A social activist also pleaded for justice for all other victims in honour killing cases.

“This is a basic right. I think the case is not important because Nirupama is a journalist. It is okay that female journalists are fighting for Nirupama. Even the male journalists should come forward to fight for Nirupama. The case is important because there are many Nirupamas in Haryana (India’s northern state) and Western Uttar Pradesh (India’s northern state). They should all get justice,” said K. Rajalaxmi, a social activist.

Jharkhand Police filed a case against Priyavanshu Ranjan, a close associate of Nirupama Pathak.

Hearing a plea by Sudha Pathak, Nirupama”s mother, Koderma Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) N K Agrawal on Friday directed the state police to lodge a case against Ranjan.

Nirupama passed out of IIMC last year, and was in relationship with her former batch mate - which her parents reportedly did not approve of because of caste considerations.

She was found dead at her home in Jharkhand on April 29. (ANI)