‘What concern do I need to have?''; Sasikala hits back at criticism over remarks on Mini Cooper accident victims’ families

Hindu Aikya Vedi leader Sasikala has responded to the allegations levelled by the family of Gopika, who died in the Mini Cooper accident in Nedumbassery, for insulting the dead and her family. Sasikala responded via a Facebook post. Saw the press meet. I apologise to the parents of all daughters. For saying that we should have a public discussion on certain issues. So, if possible, allow our daughters to go out for tea at midnight. Let us turn night into day. Let us make active night walks and nightlife, her post said.

Gopika’s family levelled the allegations Tuesday morning. ‘We suspect that the accused sending to a juvenile home despite committing a serious offence is an attempt to sabotage the case. We doubt whether we will get justice. There have been several lapses on the part of the police. We are told that they are under pressure from higher-ups. The accused is from the constituency of the home minister. There are two ministers from this place. We suspect that influence may be used in some way,’ the family said.

They also alleged that Gopika and the family were being subjected to severe abuse on social media.

‘People, including Hindu Aikya Vedi leader Sasikala, are insulting my daughter and our entire family. My daughter was the vice-chairperson of KMM College and had been an NSS volunteer for more than five years. This is being done with the intention of tarnishing our image. We suspect that people associated with the accused may be behind it,’ the family alleged.

Gopika’s father also raised questions about the handling of the investigation, claiming that the accused’ intoxication had not been recorded in the FIR.
After the post-mortem, the body was stitched up, but it was later opened and her blood samples were taken again. We suspect whether this was done to manipulate the evidence,’ he had said.