Teen’s letter in blood: UP CM meets girl, announces Rs 10 lakh, free education for both sisters

Meerut: Two days after TOI reported that Latika Bansal, a 15-year-old girl from Bulandshahr who witnessed her mother burn to death two months ago, wrote a letter to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister in her blood asking for justice, Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday met the teenager and said he would personally see to it that the family is taken care of.
The CM then announced Rs 5 lakh each as compensation for Latika and her younger sister Tanya, a house and funds for their studies.Yadav also said Latika's uncle (the victim’s brother) would be given a government job.
Yadav has further directed the Bulandshahr administration to bear all expenses for the treatment of Latika's grand mother who suffers from cancer.
Speaking with TOI over phone after the meeting, Latika said, “I am very relieved after the CM promised us all the help. I was really worried about my uncle who lost his job because of frequent absence from his office in the past two months as he had to do all the running around for the police case. But the CM has guaranteed him a government job now.”
Moved by Latika's letter, Yadav had on Friday ordered the Bulandshahr SSP and other senior officials to visit the family and get a first-hand account of the case. Senior police officers later visited Latika at her uncle's house and provided security to her and Tanya, 11. Police also told TOI that they have reopened the case.
“Initially, an investigation had revealed that Anu Bansal’s death was a case of suicide and not murder. The complaint was earlier filed under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. But after the investigation, it was changed to section 306 (abetment to suicide). However, the complainant, Anu Bansal's mother, was not completely satisfied with the direction of the probe. We have decided not to treat the investigation as complete,” said Dharemendra Kumar Yadav, Bulandshahr’s circle officer (city).
“I am glad that my voice is being heard now. After news of my letter broke, several senior police officers have come to my house to speak with me and my uncle. I now have hope that I will get justice for my mother,” the 15-year-old had told TOI on Friday. She and her sister were then called to meet the CM on Saturday.
Later on Saturday, CM tweeted, “#UPCM @yadavakhilesh also assured that @UPGovt will ensure fair prosecution in their mother’s case & deliver justice.” In another tweet, he said, “#UPCM @yadavakhilesh met with Bansal family & assured @UPGovt will provide both girls Rs5 lakh for education.”