Mangaluru: Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao Expresses Anguish Over Akanksha's Death
“I strongly urge the Punjab government to conduct a fair and thorough investigation to ensure justice for Akanksha and her family,” Dinesh Gundu Rao said in a statement on Monday
Mangaluru: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao has expressed deep anguish over the death of Akanksha, a young woman from Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances during a visit to her former college in Punjab.
Calling the incident “deeply saddening,” the Minister said the nature of her death appears unnatural at first glance. He highlighted that Akanksha’s family has alleged that she was driven to suicide due to harassment by a lecturer at the college in Phagwara.
“I strongly urge the Punjab government to conduct a fair and thorough investigation to ensure justice for Akanksha and her family,” Rao said in a statement on Monday.
The Minister, who also posted his statement on X, stated that he has spoken to Karnataka Chief Secretary and instructed to remain in constant touch with authorities in Punjab to expedite the process of handing over the deceased’s body to the grieving family.
He added that Karnataka Chief Secretary has already initiated discussions with his Punjab counterpart, and a case has been registered at the Jalandhar police station.
“The state government stands with Akanksha’s family in this difficult time and will provide all necessary support,” Rao assured.
Akanksha had reportedly travelled to Punjab to collect her graduation certificate when the incident occurred. Her sudden death has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
Responding swiftly to the family’s allegations, the Karnataka government has written to the Punjab government, urging registration of an FIR and a proper investigation. In a letter dated May 19, the office of Karnataka Chief Secretary stated that the family of the deceased has raised allegations of abetment to suicide by a professor of the college.
“An untimely death of Ms. Akanksha, an employee of SpiceJet and a graduate of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Jalandhar, has been reported to this office. The death reportedly occurred yesterday when she had visited her college to collect her degree certificate. The family of the deceased has raised allegations of abetment to suicide a professor of the college,” the letter stated.
“However, it has been brought to our notice that the local police have not registered a FIR and are instead treating the incident merely as an Unnatural Death Report (UDR), suicide case. In view of the gravity of the matter and the concerns raised by the family, I request you to immediately bring this to the notice of the Chief Secretary for immediate action to ensure justice to the family of the deceased,” the letter added.
