The recent murder case of a teacher in Haryana has sparked public protests that have led to the suspension of internet services in the state’s two districts. The order for suspension of internet services in Haryana’s Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts was issued by the Home Secretary of Haryana following the teacher’s murder case.
As the case took a major role in the Bhiwani district, the Home Secretary of Haryana issued an order suspending mobile internet services, including bulk SMS and all other services, except for voice calls, in the state’s Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts.
The decision to suspend these services was taken to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order within these two districts. The services have been suspended until 11:00 AM on August 21, 2025. It aims to curb the spread of any kind of misinformation following the tragic death of a playschool teacher, which has sparked public protests demanding justice.
What is the Case?
A 19-year-old playschool teacher, Manisha, went missing on 11th August. She was seen for the last time at 1:58 PM while she was leaving the school. Manisha had visited a nearby private nursing college to inquire about a B.Sc. nursing course and its admission details. According to the CCTV footage, Manisha was near the nursing college in the afternoon. After which, there was no clue of her.
Manisha’s father accused the police of delaying the filing of her daughter’s missing complaint on 11th August. He claimed that the police refused to file a complaint and suggested that his daughter might have run away or gone on a trip and would return home within a few days. The police registered her missing complaint the next day.
Her body was found on 13th August in a field in Singhani village in the Bhiwani district. Manisha’s throat had been slit.
A large crowd gathered in Bhiwani’s Dhani Laxman village, where they attended a panchayat and announced that they would fight to ensure justice for Manisha’s family. Villagers from Charkhi Dadri district expressed solidarity with the victim’s family and extended their support by planning to hold a dharna.
The Congress General Secretary and Sirsa MP Selja Kumari stated that the murder case had shaken the entire country. She mentioned that the police dismissed the case by saying that the girl must have run away and would return on her own. If the police had lodged the complaint and taken swift action, perhaps Manisha would have been alive today.
What did the Women’s Commission say?
The Haryana Women’s Commission said that it is worth mentioning that students protested yesterday in front of the Mini Secretariat in Bhiwani district over the tragic death of the playschool teacher.
The students took to the streets, questioned the police over their actions, and demanded justice for Manisha and her family, stating that the suspension of the police officers would not be enough.
These student protesters demanded the arrest of the accused and strict punishment for those who brutally killed Manisha. The Haryana Women’s Commission expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of the 19-year-old teacher.
The State Women’s Commission Chairperson, Renu Bhatia, stated that for the past three to four days, the case had been emerging as one of murder and exploitation, but since yesterday, the case had completely taken a new turn. After a suicide note was found in the victim’s bag, serious questions have arisen whether it is a case of murder or suicide.
Police Investigation:
According to the preliminary investigation, the death was a suicide as it was supported by a suicide note obtained from the victim’s bag on the same day when her body was found in Singhani village.
The police theory was even supported by video footage where the victim was seen purchasing insecticide, from the forensic reports, which confirmed the presence of poison in Manisha’s body.
The two autopsy reports, including the report from Rohtak’s Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), ruled out foul play and confirmed that the injuries on the neck of the victim were caused by scavengers and not by a throat slit.
Investigation And Autopsy Findings Rejected By Family and Villagers:
The victim’s family members and local villagers have completely rejected the suicide narrative presented in the case findings. The victim’s father has accused the police of delaying the process of filing the missing person complaint, alleging police negligence.
Manisha’s family claimed that they were pressurised by a local committee to consent to the process of their daughter’s cremation. Manisha’s father has demanded justice and asked for public support in this matter.
Protests Erupted:
Public anger led to massive protests with villagers blocking roads and holding a panchayat with Manisha’s family. The candlelight marches and sit-ins at the Dhigawa Mandi increased the calls for a proper and thorough investigation into the death of Manisha. Although the police had presented their findings, the protests continue with demands for proper investigations from the local authorities.
