http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=241984
Kin and kith pledge support to Godmother Sibte Husain Bukhari Junagadh, June 19: After her archrival and brother-in-law, Bhura Munja came to her rescue citing the "arrest was made to tarnish family honour", nine villages from Porbandar taluka now pledge unconditional support to Godmother Santokben Jadeja. Behind the bars since she was arrested on June 9 by Junagadh police, Godmother's own Mer community men are at work even as sarpanch of the villages have jointly issued statement saying "Santokben has been wrongly indicted by police and political conspiracy is at play in the case."Mer community is in majority in the 9 villages including Kuchhadi, Kolikhada, Kantela, Baradiya, Palakhada, Bhavpara, Visavada and Tukada. "Police should immediately arrest the rape and murder accused so truth can be revealed," said villages' sarpanch. Moreover, residents from Santokben's strong-hold Bokhira and Jubilee areas, too, have come forward in her defence. In addition to this, leaders from various sections of the society, particularly from Brahmin, Dalit, Vankar and Devipoojak communities, have condemned her arrest.Meanwhile, police and Godmother's counsel are at loggerheads at Junagadh court over the lie-detector test . "About Santokben's narco-analysis, the matter is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday while her bail application will be heard on Thursday and the hearing for polygraph test is on Friday," said senior counsel and Santokben's lawyer Rajesh Buch.According to Buch, as per provision of law, "court can permit the investigative authority to take person with it for conducting lie-detector test but it can't be performed without consent of concerned person."As per case details, police had registered a case against Godmother under IPC section 212 for harbouring Junagadh rape and murder accused Mohan Hamir and Mahesh Alias Bhadu Dalit. However, since her arrest, Santokben has denied any involvement and maintained that "her arrest has been politically motivated and BJP-ruled government is behind the conspiracy." Meanwhile, even after 40 days of Junagadh rape and murder incident, two accused are at large with police still clueless on their whereabouts.Besides, Dalit's father, Mulaji Dalit has alleged that "he has been harassed by Junagadh police." Mulaji lodged complaint with 'B' division police station against investigation officer and policemen. Junagadh Dalit Vikas Organisation shot off a letter to IGP Junagadh range "to look into matter or else they'll initiate an agitation."
