BJP MLA, husband get ten-year rigorous imprisonment for abetting maid's suicide

BHOPAL: BJP MLA Asharani and her husband and former MLA Ashok Veer Vikram Singh, alias Bhaiya Raja, along with four others were sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment by a local court for abetting their domestic help's suicide.

The maid Tijjibai committed suicide by setting herself afire on May 21, 2007, at Bhaiya Raja's Kolar Road residence here, prosecution sources said.

The former MLA exploited her physically while his wife and sitting MLA from Bijawar used to beat her and kept her without salary, the prosecution said. They also did not allow her to meet anyone.

Additional Sessions Judge Sayeeda Bano Rahman also imposed a fine of Rs 51,000 each on the couple.

The sentence was awarded under relevant sections of the IPC.

Besides, the court also awarded ten-year sentence to Kanhaiyalal 75, Narmada Pathak 35, Nijaji Dhimar 50 and Gopal Thakur 63 and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on them for helping the duo in committing the crime.