Silent march in Dehradun for justice in Rishikesh resort murder

Dehradun: A silent march was held at Gandhi Park in Dehradun on Thursday morning by a joint committee of social organisations seeking justice for the 19-year-old woman who was murdered at a Rishikesh resort in 2022. The protesters also criticised the governor for allegedly declining to meet their delegation.Citing what they described as a "lack of progress" in the investigation, the committee accused the state govt of ignoring the victim's parents' demand for a CBI probe under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge, as well as the identification of an alleged "VIP" said to be linked to the crime.Expressing dissatisfaction with the state govt, protesters said they had approached the governor in the hope of a neutral intervention. "We went to the governor out of disappointment with the government. His refusal to meet or even hear us is an insult to the people and to democratic values," a protester said.Referring to earlier efforts, including a mahapanchayat organised in Dehradun and letters sent to the Chief Justice of India and the chief minister, the committee said it had consistently sought an impartial investigation based on the complaint filed by the victim's family."From the beginning, we have demanded that the CBI probe be conducted under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge and not on the basis of the complaint filed by Anil Joshi. An impartial investigation is integral to delivering justice," said Kamla Pant, president of Uttarakhand Mahila Manch.Participants raised concerns over women's safety and wore masks to symbolise what they termed the "govt's silence." They warned that protests would continue until those responsible are punished and announced plans to hold nyay panchayats across the state, starting in Garsain during the upcoming budget session.