Police in Haridwar have taken a significant step to unravel a complex controversy by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This move, made on Monday, aims to probe a widely circulated audio clip that has stirred a major political and legal storm connected to the high-profile Rishikesh resort murder case.
The Audio Clip and Explosive Allegations
The controversy erupted after several audio clips were allegedly released by a woman named Urmila Sanawar. In these clips, expelled former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore is purportedly heard referring to a "VIP" involved in the resort case. He allegedly identified this VIP as BJP's national general secretary, Dushyant Gautam. The allegations quickly gained traction, adding a new layer of complexity to the existing case.
Dushyant Gautam responded with strong disapproval to his name being dragged into the matter. He categorically denied any involvement and issued a stern warning of defamation and legal action against those attempting to implicate him. In a surprising twist, Suresh Rathore later denied the allegations himself, claiming the audio clips were fabricated and "AI-generated."
A Web of Complaints and Counter-Complaints
This incident is not an isolated event but part of a longer-running feud. Incidentally, Suresh Rathore had filed a case at the Jwalapur police station last year, accusing Urmila Sanawar of blackmail. Urmila Sanawar, in turn, has claimed that she is Rathore's second wife, adding a personal dimension to the legal dispute.
Adding to the tumult, office-bearers of the Guru Ravidas Akharas lodged a formal complaint against both Urmila Sanawar and Suresh Rathore. They alleged that the duo attempted to defame Dushyant Gautam, who also serves as the president of the ‘akhara’. Following this complaint, two fresh FIRs were registered at Bahadrabad and Jhabreda police stations over the latest audio clip.
The SIT's Crucial Mandate and Next Steps
With conflicting claims and multiple FIRs, the Haridwar police's SIT has been tasked with a critical investigation. The team's primary objective is to determine the authenticity of the controversial audio clip and verify the competing claims made by all parties involved.
SSP (Haridwar) Pramendra Dobal confirmed the development to the media, stating, "An SIT has been formed and a team has been sent to UP to give Urmila Sanawar a notice to cooperate in the investigation." This action indicates the police's seriousness in getting to the bottom of the matter by directly involving the key individual who allegedly released the audio.
The formation of the SIT marks a pivotal moment in this saga, which intertwines personal allegations, political insinuations, and a serious criminal investigation. The findings of the special team are now awaited to establish the facts and potentially lead to further legal proceedings.
