The Tribune, January 4, 2003

Draupdi abduction case: cop convicted
Our Correspondent

Ambala, January 3
The Special Judge for CBI cases in Haryana, Mr M.M. Sharma, today sentenced Constable Suraj Mal involved in the ‘Draupdi abduction case’ of Karnal to seven years of prison and a fine of Rs 1,000.

Draupdi, a resident of Karnal, has been missing since July 4, 1995. On the complaint of her mother Chander Kala, a case was registered on July 8, 1995, against Constable Suraj Mal, Raj Kumar Rana and Shivani, a friend of Draupdi in Karnal police station. Later, during investigation the allegation against Shivani and Raj Kumar was not established.

The CBI counsel said on a writ petition of Chander Kala, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had handed over the investigation of the case the CBI which filed the charge sheet in this court in December, 1995. As many as 16 witnesses, including Shivani, were produced in the court.

According to the charge sheet filed by the CBI in 1994-95 up to May 1995, Draupdi (then 18 years old) remained an employee in the PWD Office, Karnal, on daily wages. Later, she worked in the Congress Committee Office there. Accused Suraj Mal and Draupdi had illicit relations. The CBI also alleged in the charge sheet that Suraj Mal abducted Draupdi on July 4, 1995, and since then she was untraceable.