Well-known social activist Tehseen Poonawalla has yet again raised his voice against a recent malady a la Hathras Case , which is being allegedly seen as a key tool causing miscarriage of justice.
Mr Poonawalla has written to Chief Justice of India SA Bobde requesting him to take up the issue of the Hathras Gang Rape, hastened cremation by the authorities in UP government and gross incongruity displayed by the state police, and other such related developments that give semblance of denied justice.
The victim was gang-raped and then murdered by four men in the Uttar Pradesh district of Hathras. She suffered multiple fractures in the spinal cord, paralysis and a deep gash in her tongue. The woman was taken from Aligarh to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi for treatment, but she unfortunately died at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on September 29 leading to widespread cries among citizens for fairness in justice delivery for the girl.
In the missive shot off to CJI, Mr Poonawalla has highlighted cruelty of police being meted out to the aggrieved family of the victim in the aftermath of brutal rape inflicted on her.
“The girl’s brother was waiting for her mortal remains to arrive from Delhi and the family wanted the last rites to be performed in the morning but till late night, the body was not handed over to the family members. The family members wanted to spend the last night with their daughter’s body in the house, however it was brought to the attention by media that the girls family and relatives were locked up in their homes by the UP Police who then cremated her body in the middle of the night without the consent of the family. Senior police officers and administrative officials were also present at the crematorium in the middle of the night but not the family members ,” the letter points out.
Terming it ‘disgraceful inhuman behaviour’ by the UP administration and Police, he has called for immediate unearthing of hushed-up factual evidences and fast tracking delivery of justice to the late victim and her family, appealing to Supreme Court and NHRC as well.
“The 19 year old girl got no dignity even in death. This act of the administration has violated the fundamental right of not just the victim but also her family as envisaged under Article 19, Article 21 and Article 25 of the Constitution of India,” Poonawalla says in his letter, while elucidating denial of fundamental right to the victim.
Mr Poonawalla has hence requested CJI to immediately summon UP chief secretary, home secretary, DG UP Police and DM Hathras and take them to task in a bid to preclude the gross inequities in the Hathras Case.
“It is a humble request that your lordships may suo-moto take up this issue and kindly summon Chief Secretary UP, Home Secretary UP, DG UP Police and DM Hathras.
“I am hopeful that my request will meet your positive consideration,” Mr Poonawalla signs off