The murder of 20-year old Nikita Tomar by a Muslim man in Faridabad sent shockwaves throughout the country. After it was revealed that the crime committed in broad daylight was caught on CCTV, the footage of the incident was widely shared on the internet. However, in a strange twist of events, the accused’s lawyers have produced eye-witnesses claiming that when Nikita was shot in the head, the accused was in another town in Haryana.
“Reminder: While we all share videos of brutal murders caught on camera, trials almost wholly depend on eyewitnesses. They can be created, bribed, threatened, eliminated. Court battles need persistence and lots of money. We are doing everything we can for #justiceforNikitaTomar,” journalist Swati Goel Sharma, in response to the development.
Reminder: While we all share videos of brutal murders caught on camera, trials almost wholly depend on eyewitnesses. They can be created, bribed, threatened, eliminated.
Court battles need persistence and lots of money. We are doing everything we can for #justiceforNikitaTomar https://t.co/id1tTxQzHX— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) March 18, 2021
Nikita Tomar was a final-year B-Com student and was going home after giving her exams. The whole incident, captured on CCTV footage, shows the girl attempting to flee when the shooter opens fire, putting a bullet in her head and then running away in a white-coloured car with an accomplice. The accused was allegedly trying to kidnap Nikita.
CCTV footage shows a girl named Nikita Tomar being shot dead by an assailant (Taufeeq) outside her college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. Shooter and associate flees in car. Police have arrested Taufeeq. pic.twitter.com/idOPIDZfDo
— Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) October 27, 2020
Incidentally, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police investigating the murder have filed a 700 pages-long charge-sheet and have included the names of 60 witnesses.
Unlike the 2017 killing of 17-year old Hafiz Junaid, where government officials went to the doorstep of the victim’s father to offer lakhs of rupees in compensation, Nikita’s father has not received a single rupee in compensation from the government after the death of his daughter. He has now lost his job and is facing a financial crisis. “Many youth who supported him [Nikita’s father] after [Nikita’s] murder are facing criminal charges. Hence many are reluctant to support him”, Agniveer activist Sanjeev Newar tweeted.
Family has received zero compensation so far, unlike Junaid case. Father lost his job. Regular court visits from Fariabad to Chandigarh is draining him. Many youth who supported him after murder are facing criminal charges. Hence many are reluctant to support him.
— Sanjeev Newar संजीव नेवर (@SanjeevSanskrit) March 18, 2021
As per reports, the accused was Nikita’s classmate till high school and had been forcing her to become his friend. He had allegedly tried to kidnap her earlier in 2018.
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