After contradictory reports emerged on the alleged harassment of two sisters from Rohtak, the Haryana government has put on hold the award and felicitation ceremony on Republic Day.
“The award announced for the two sisters by the state government which was to be bestowed upon them on Republic day had been ‘put on hold pending an inquiry’ in the case,” Chief Minister’s Officer on Special duty (OSD) Jawahar Yadav said.
“Against whomsoever evidence is found action will be taken,” he added.
Aarti and Pooja of Sonepat district’s Thanakhurd village had shot into limelight as the brave ‘Rohtak sisters’ after a video surfaced showing them beating three men on a Haryana Roadways bus on November 28.
The video went viral and their story was widely report in the media, leading to the state government announcing a cash reward of Rs. 31,000 to each of the sisters.
The parents of the two girls lodged an FIR with Haryana police against the three youths informing that the molesters got down at the Kansla village in Rohtak.
All the three youths — Kuldeep, Mohit and Deepak, were arrested and later released on bail.
However, many witnesses turned up later to claim that the boys were not at fault. They said the altercation began after the sisters refused to vacate a seat that was allotted to a ill lady.
One woman, who was on board the bus, said the girls started to abuse the boys for asking to make way for the ill passenger.
Later, one of the accused, Kuldeep, also claimed innocence with his father claiming that the father of the girls had demanded a Scooty to withdraw the case.
Interestingly, one more video surfaced later, showing the girls beating up two men at a park in Rohtak.
Meanwhile, the Haryana government today reinstated the driver and conductor of the roadways bus in which two college-going sisters were allegedly eve-teased by three youths, following their suspension earlier this week.
