Moga molestation case: Victim's body cremated after post-mortem, father accepts compensation

The 13-year-old girl who died after she was allegedly molested and pushed out of a bus owned by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's transport company was cremated on Sunday evening at her native village in Punjab. 

Moga molestation case: Victim's body cremated after post-mortem, father accepts compensation

Moga: The 13-year-old girl who died after she was allegedly molested and pushed out of a bus owned by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's transport company was cremated on Sunday evening at her native village in Punjab.

The body of the teenaged girl was consigned to flames by her father. The cremation took place at around 8:30 PM today amid tight security arrangements by Punjab Police. The body was brought by her family from the Faridkot Medical College and Hospital where her post-mortem examination was conducted today evening after victim's father agreed for it.

Ending a four-day deadlock, the family members of the deceased teenaged girl who died here on late Wednesday agreed to perform her last rites today. They also gave their approval on taking compensation of Rs 24 lakh after CM's intervention into the matter.

Facing flak over the bus incident, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal met the father and other members of the victim's family here this evening and remained with them for 30 minutes. Badal described the incident as "intolerable" and "painful" while the police said all the four accused had been arrested.

Also Read: Parkash Singh Badal terms Moga incident as intolerable, painful  

Apni beti ko ghar le jaana chahta hun, uska sanskaar karna chahta hun aam insaan ki tarah, mujhe maaf kar do (I want to take my daughter home and want to perform her last rites like a common man. I am sorry),” ANI quoted victim's father Sukhdev Singh as saying.

"I want to request that I want to perform the last rites of my daughter," Singh told reporters here. He also said that he had agreed for the post-mortem "without any pressure".

He further said, “Jo mujhe sarkar ne de dia, bahut hai, mujhe maaf kar do, mai bas apni beti ko le jaana chahta hun (Whatever the government has done for me is enough).”

However, talking about compensation, he said he did not know about the quantum. "I cannot say about compensation. Whatever has been given to me is sufficient for me. I am happy that I will move away from here with my daughter," he added.

Speaking to news agency ANI, over the incident, the Union Minister of State for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju said, “We are sure that Punjab government is taking appropriate steps.”

“Once we receive report and if we feel appropriate steps haven't been taken, then necessary advisory or suggestion will be given,” he added.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Moga SSP JS Khaira said, “Family had apprehensions regarding investigation, there was rumor that FIR has not been registered, we showed them FIR. We showed family (of Moga incident victim) entire investigation we have done so far in a fair and transparent manner.”

“All four accused were arrested within 24 hours, bus was impounded. Family had apprehension that people whom we arrested have not committed the crime, but a boy who was travelling in the bus that day, identified them,” he added.

Khaira further said that "Father of the girl has agreed for post-mortem of the girl."

Furthermore, Moga Deputy Commissioner Parminder Singh Gill said that Rs 24 lakh compensation to the affected family would be paid by Orbit Aviation, owners of the bus, instead of district administration. The money will be deposited with Red Cross Moga from where it will delivered to affected family.

Also Read: Sukhbir Badal's company to pay Rs 24 lakh to Moga victim

Earlier, the victims family and the locals were protesting against Punjab Police outside Civil hospital here. According to reports, the family members of the victim even alleged that police were pressurising them to settle for a compromise.

Notably, the victim girl's father's acceptance over compensation and cremation came today, who earlier was stuck to his demand for registration of a case against Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and others, who own the bus service.

However, District Administration had ruled out the possibility of registration of case against bus owners, saying it was not legally possible.

The victim's father had also demanded cancellation of road permits of Orbit Aviation before the last rites can be performed. The family had on Friday even rejected the government's offer of a compensation of Rs 20 lakh, a government job for her mother, her free treatment and holding trial of the case in a fast track court.

Under fire over the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had, yesterday, evening ordered all buses of Orbit Aviation, which he co-owns, off the road.

Also Read: Moga incident fallout: Badal orders Orbit buses to go off the roads

Amid mounting protests by opposition parties including Congress and AAP, Sukhbir Badal, while ordering all his company's buses off the road, had also directed that the operating staff be sent for an "orientation course".

Also Read: AAP demands President to dismiss Punjab govt over Moga incident

A victim girl died after she and her mother were allegedly pushed off a moving bus for resisting a molestation bid on April 29 in Moga, Punjab.

Local residents rushed the two to a nearby hospital where the girl was pronounced dead.

The incident took place on a highway connecting Moga and Bathinda.

(With Agency inputs)