Ex-airhostess commits suicide, Haryana minister Kanda resigns

Haryana minister of state for home Gopal Goyal Kanda resigned on Sunday after he and a manager in his MDLR group were booked by the Delhi Police for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 23-year-old former airhostess of the now defunct MDLR airline. HT reports. Who is Kanda | Hooda assures action

Haryana minister of state for home Gopal Goyal Kanda resigned on Sunday after he and a manager in his MDLR group were booked by the Delhi Police for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 23-year-old former airhostess of the now defunct MDLR airline.

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Geetika Sharma was found hanging by her parents at her second-floor house in north Delhi’s Ashok Vihar around 7.30am. She left a suicide note, alleging that Kanda and his employee Aruna Chadha had been harassing and cheating her.

“We have registered a case of abetment of suicide against Kanda and Chadha,” said P Karunakaran, DCP (northwest).

With the opposition building pressure on Haryana chief minister BS Hooda through the day, Kanda announced late evening in Gurgaon that he was stepping down. He refused to comment on the case. Hooda had earlier said he would “check the facts and take appropriate action”.

Delhi Police said Sharma joined MDLR (Murali Dhar Lakhpat Rai) airline in 2007.

She was offered another job in the MDLR group after the airline shut down in 2009, but refused. Sharma moved to Emirates airline.

“She was under training in Dubai when Kanda emailed to Emirates that she had defaulted on loan in India. He also raised questions about her character. The airline sacked her and she returned to India in 2010,” said Sharma’s cousin Gaurav.

Gaurav claimed Kanda came with his wife to Sharma’s house and convinced her parents to get her to rejoin MDLR.

“She became a director in one of MDLR’s companies but quit two months ago to study MBA. She was in depression and wanted to explore other career options,” he said.

Gaurav quoted Sharma’s suicide note as saying: “I believed these people, but they are not trustworthy. Whatever has happened with me, shouldn't happen with anyone else.”

Sharma’s family alleged Kanda used to spy on her and follow her. Police said Sharma was often seen in a BMW, which her brother claimed was provided by her office for commuting.

INLD chief OP Chautala alleged Kanda has a criminal background.

“He was involved in a scuffle with a former cricketer and had attacked income tax and police officials,” he said.