- Digvijay Singh welcomes reinvestigation
Bhopal: In a dramatic turn that has reignited a decades-old political controversy, a Bhopal court has ordered a reinvestigation into the mysterious death of Congress leader Sarla Mishra—28 years after the case first shook Madhya Pradesh politics. The directive comes from the Thirteenth Civil Judge (Senior Division), prompting a fresh probe into a case long considered closed.
Reacting to the court’s order, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who was then in office, said, “This case was investigated during the BJP’s tenure too. I welcome any reinvestigation.”
The BJP, along with Sarla’s family, had earlier alleged a political cover-up, pointing fingers at Digvijay Singh and his brother, Laxman Singh. While a plea for a CBI probe was dismissed by the High Court in 2006, the case has now resurfaced, with renewed calls for justice.
Congress responds: Former MLA Shailendra Patel accused the BJP of acting with political vendetta, saying the ruling party is “digging up old graves to pressure the opposition,” but insisted the Congress is unshaken.
Family demands justice: Sarla’s brother, Anurag Mishra, welcomed the court’s decision and demanded a probe by three senior IPS officers, alleging that his sister was murdered and the original police investigation was grossly negligent.
Background: On February 14, 1997, Sarla Mishra was admitted to a Bhopal hospital with severe burns. She succumbed five days later at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. While initial reports cited suicide, her family has always maintained it was murder.
