Death of woman journalist: NCW seeks report from Jharkhand

The National Commission for Women today sought a report from the Jharkhand government on the death of a New Delhi-based woman journalist and said the case should be entrusted to a fast track court to ensure speedy justice.

NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said that the commission has sought a report from the Jharkhand government and "they should not hide anything".

"We are giving instructions that justice should prevail and that is why this case should go to the fast track court," she said.

Vyas said the culprits should not be saved by anybody. "We have to have faith in our law," she added. 

The mysterious death of the journalist Nirupama Pathak at Tilaya in Koderma district of Jharkhand has turned out to be a case of murder and not suicide as suggested earlier. 

Koderma superintendent of police Kranti Singh yesterday said the post-mortem report was received yesterday and confirmed that her death was caused by "asphyxia as a result of smothering".

He alleged the family members of the victim had misled the police by first claiming that she died of electrocution and though the incident had taken place in the morning, the police were informed in the evening.

Besides, the victim was strangulated with a rope even after she died, Kumar said, adding a ligature mark was found around her neck.

Pathak, attached with a reputed English business daily from New Delhi, was found hanging in her house on Thursday.