Amid the ongoing investigation into the death of actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sonali Phogat, her sister Rukesh expressed dissatisfaction with the investigations conducted by the Goa police, suspecting involvement of a political angle, and added that only a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can reveal the truth.
"The truth will come out only after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe," Rukesh told news agency ANI. "We are not satisfied with the investigation by Goa Police. Goa Police was probing the case from a property angle. There could be some big people behind the murder. Sonali could have been murdered on political grounds, so there should be an investigation."
She also thanked Khap Panchayats for putting pressure on the government to conduct a CBI investigation into the matter.
"Khap Panchayats have given their full cooperation, and there has been pressure on the Haryana and Goa governments in some places," Rukesh said.
On Monday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) authorised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into the suspicious death of BJP leader Sonali Phogat in Goa. According to MHA sources, the CBI will take over the investigation.
On Sunday, a Khap Mahapanchayat was held in Hisar to demand a CBI investigation into Sonali Phogat's death. Following the CBI investigation request, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the case would be handed over to the CBI on Monday.
Sonali Phogat's family members and the Haryana government have also made persistent demands in this regard.
Sonali Phogat, an actor-politician from Haryana, was found dead in Goa last month. Her family was immediately suspicious. Following her family's allegations, the Goa Police filed a murder case and arrested two of Phogat's associates.
Phogat, who rose to prominence through her TikTok videos, contested as a BJP candidate in the 2019 Haryana election but lost to then-Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi (he has since joined the BJP). In 2020, she also appeared on the reality show Bigg Boss.