Congress revives Haren Pandya murder case as Sunita Williams returns to Earth
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New Delhi: The Congress has brought back the Haren Pandya murder case into political discourse as NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Pandya’s cousin, returns to Earth. The party has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sincerity in celebrating Williams' achievements, contrasting it with his alleged past indifference towards her due to her family ties with Pandya, a former Gujarat BJP minister assassinated in 2003.
The Congress Kerala unit posted on social media: "Modi pens a letter to Sunita Williams, and in all likelihood, she will put it in the trash. Why? She is Haren Pandya's cousin… He challenged Modi and was murdered during a 'morning walk'." The statement has reignited discussions about the case and its political implications.
Haren Pandya’s political rift with Modi
Pandya, a former Gujarat home minister, was a prominent BJP leader known for his RSS background. Tensions between him and Modi escalated in 2001 when he refused to vacate his Ellisbridge Assembly seat for Modi’s electoral entry into the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
The rift deepened in 2002 when Pandya allegedly testified before an independent panel, led by Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, about Modi’s role in the Gujarat riots. Some reports claimed Pandya accused Modi of instructing officials to allow retaliatory violence after the Godhra train burning. Following this, Pandya was removed from his ministerial post, denied an election ticket, and later found dead on 26 March 2003 during his morning walk in Ahmedabad.
Controversial investigation and legal battles
The CBI initially linked Pandya’s murder to Islamic militants, claiming it was an act of revenge for the 2002 riots. In 2007, a Gujarat trial court convicted 12 individuals, but the Gujarat High Court overturned the convictions in 2011, calling the investigation “botched, misdirected, and perverse.” The Supreme Court reinstated the convictions in 2019, rejecting demands for a fresh probe. Pandya’s father, Vitthal Pandya, had repeatedly accused Modi of shielding the real culprits.
Sunita Williams and Modi’s selective recognition
Congress has also highlighted the BJP government’s past indifference towards Sunita Williams. Reports from The Telegraph in 2007 noted that despite her achievements and Gujarati heritage, Modi’s administration ignored her accomplishments. Williams had previously campaigned for Pandya in 1998 and joined his victory procession.
In contrast, Modi has now praised Williams in a personal letter, calling her one of India’s illustrious daughters. Congress alleges that this shift is politically motivated. While the BJP has dismissed these claims, the Haren Pandya case continues to be a point of contention in Modi’s political legacy.
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Odisha man allegedly murders wife; hangs himself to death in Anekal
Anekal: A recent incident of an Odisha-based man allegedly murdering his wife and later committing suicide by hanging himself has come to light late from Heelalige village under Suryanagar Police Station limits.
The deceased are identified as Deepanth Sabar (31) and his wife Manjula Sabar (27), who were reportedly staying in a rented house since three weeks ago and working in a private company in Bommasandra.
Police have said that the couple fought frequently, adding that Sabar might have murdered his wife Manjula in a fit of anger, before hanging himself to death at home.
Shivakumar, the owner of the house, confirmed that he had rented the house to the couple 20 days ago. On Thursday night, when Shivakumar’s mother Chowdamma checked near the house, she reportedly saw Manjula lying dead on a bed and immediately informed Suryanagar Police.
The probe team is learned to have broken the door open and entered the house, where they found that the husband too had died by hanging. The bodies of the couple were nearly decomposed, and the police have said that they duo might have died two days before.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Mallesh Gowda and Inspector Sanjeev Mahajan reportedly inspected the crime scene.
Sabar is said to have recorded a video of himself sitting crying beside his wife’s corpse. A check of his mobile phone matter shows that he committed suicide soon after. Sabar is also learned to have left behind a death note in Odia.
Sabar and Manjula’s bodies have been handed over to their family members after conducting the post-mortem test at the government hospital.
A police case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
