CHANDIGARH: The victim, who has been interacting with the media after the incident, today said that had she not been the daughter of an IAS officer, things could have ended differently.
"If I had been a village girl, probably I would not have the resources to fight these guys," she said.
However, she also said, "If we (being daughter of IAS officer) don't do it (pursue the case), then who will. Like with my father and his post, if we are not going to do this (pursue the case), then how can we expect others to raise their voices," she said.
At the same time, she also said, "But I have the power of people behind me, never before in my life have I felt so much support."
The victim's father said he had full faith in the investigations.
"In all honesty, I must say Chandigarh police have actually saved my daughter's life and I am grateful for that.
"I have faith in the system and law of this land and I must say that my daughter is alive today because the system works. If the Chandigarh police system of helping out women in distress did not work, it is quite possible that she might not have been alive today," he said.
The IAS officer said that it was an issue of safety of a daughter.
"Had it been a daughter of a labourer being stalked by some petty criminals, will the offence become any less. They are as much citizens of this country as I am or as that boy is," the victim's father told the media.
The IAS officer said that Chandigarh police are carrying out their investigations.
"Wherever I have any concerns, I actually expressed these to the police authorities and they have assured me that they will do the needful. I had requested the Home Department immediately after the FIR was lodged that care be taken to secure CCTV footage," he said.
On the opposition demand that the Haryana BJP chief should resign as he can influence the investigation, the IAS officer said, "I am very clear that both the accused are young men, they are law students and they are fully aware of the consequences of their action. I do not hold their family responsible for their action."
About Bhatti reported controversial remark, the woman's father said, "that kind of statement is outrageous, but I do not want to join any political debate of any kind, I am an administrator, I am a bureaucrat, I do not want to join the debate.
"At the same time, I want to say that every daughter in the country has the right to live as free and equal citizen and I absolutely stand by that right. There is no way I can support anyone who say that girls should not step out at this time or that time. They have every right to carry out any lawful activity like any other citizen," he said.
The victim's father had taken to the social media and urged people to fight crime against women while sharing the ordeal his family had gone through due to the stalking incident.