Acquittal in Geetika Sharma Suicide Case: Former Haryana Minister Gopal Goyal Kanda Walks Free
25-07-2023 : The Special Court for MPs/MLAs cases in Delhi has acquitted the former Haryana Minister, Gopal Goyal Kanda, in the high-profile Air Hostess Geetika Sharma suicide case. The court’s ruling also led to the acquittal of Aruna Chadha, another individual who was accused in connection with the same incident.
The case, which had garnered extensive media coverage and public attention, centered around the tragic suicide of Air Hostess Geetika Sharma at her residence in Ashok Vihar, Northwest Delhi, on August 5, 2012. Following this heartbreaking incident, several individuals, including Gopal Goyal Kanda, who was serving as the Minister of State for Home Affairs in the Haryana Government and held the position of Managing Director at MDLR Group, faced multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Throughout the trial, the prosecution’s central contention was that the accused individuals, acting in alleged criminal conspiracy, deliberately orchestrated circumstances that left Geetika Sharma with no recourse but to take her own life. This led to the charges under Section 306 read with 120-B IPC, alongside additional accusations under sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (destruction of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 466 (forgery) of the IPC.
However, after carefully considering the final arguments, Special Judge Vikas Dhull reached a verdict wherein the prosecution’s case failed to establish the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The court acknowledged the possibility that factors other than the alleged criminal conspiracy might have been instrumental in Geetika Sharma’s tragic decision. As a result, both Gopal Goyal Kanda and Aruna Chadha were acquitted of all charges framed against them under Section 120-B IPC r/w 466/471/468/469 IPC and 66 IT Act, 2000, as well as under Section 306 r/w 120-B IPC.
In light of the court’s decision, the accused persons were directed to provide personal bonds of Rs. 1,00,000/- each, along with one surety of the same amount, and they pledged to appear before the appellate court whenever required.
It is pertinent to note that earlier, on July 25, 2013, the Delhi High Court had already dismissed charges under section 376 (rape) and 377 (unnatural sex) of the IPC against Gopal Goyal Kanda. Nonetheless, a fresh trial was subsequently ordered by the trial court on December 6, 2013, specifically focusing on the charges of abetment to suicide against both Kanda and Chadha.
Geetika Sharma’s heartrending suicide note had named Gopal Goyal Kanda and his associate Aruna Chadha, accusing Kanda of “mental harassment.” However, the recent verdict delivered by the Special Court has resulted in their acquittal, offering a new perspective on a case that had captivated the nation’s attention for an extended period.
