Gopal Kanda (circled), seen with Geetika's parents
Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda, who was blamed by a former air hostess in her suicide note, has resigned. His resignation comes on a day the Delhi Police registered a case of abetment to suicide against him. Geetika Sharma, a 23-year-old former air hostess with the domestic MDLR Airlines, committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Ashok Vihar in North-West Delhi on Saturday.
"I have resigned so that there is no hindrance in the investigations... These allegations are without basis... I don't know how it happened; investigations will bring it forth... They say I have harassed. I don't have any direct relations with any employees," said Mr Kanda.
According to the police, a suicide note was found in Geetika Sharma's apartment that blames Mr Kanda, the Minister of State (MoS) in the Home Ministry in the Haryana government and also the Chairman of the MDLR Airlines. He also owns a fleet of hotels including the Park Plaza in Gurgaon. The MDLR Airlines ceased operations in 2009.
The police have booked the minister under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for abetment to suicide and a team has been sent to Mr Kanda's home in Gurgaon.
"I'm ending myself today because I'm shattered inside. My trust has been broken. And I'm being cheated. Two people responsible for my death are Aruna Chadha and Gopal Goyal Kanda. Both of them have broken my trust and have misused me for their own benefits. They have ruined my life and now they are trying to sabotage my family members," Geetika wrote in her suicide note.
Geetika's family alleges that she was mentally tortured by Mr Kanda.
(In the picture: Geetika Sharma on the right)
"When the airline's operation was suspended, Mr Kanda offered her another job. She refused that offer and joined Emirates in Dubai. He then wrote a letter to Emirates stating that she had a bad character, which lead to her termination," alleges Gaurav Sharma, her brother.
He also says that when his sister returned home in 2011 she joined Mr Kanda's company after he convinced her but she was allegedly 'mentally tortured'.
He also mentions that the suicide note left behind by his sister said ... "They have taken advantage of the innocence of my parents. I am doing this to prevent myself from this torture."
The police are now investigating these allegations but have still not managed to contact Mr Kanda.
Meanwhile, Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda promised action. He said, "I have come to know about this. I am finding out the details...let me check the facts. We will take appropriate action." The Opposition however has demanded the resignation of Mr Kanda and dismissal of the Haryana government over the case. (
Read: Hooda assures action, Opposition wants Kanda's ouster)