Lucknow/New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Congress workers from Noida Expressway, as they were going to a Hathras village, despite Section 144 in place, to meet the family members of the Dalit girl, who was gangraped and murdered, allegedly by upper caste men.
The Gandhi siblings, along with a convoy and several party workers, headed towards Hathras from New Delhi, but were stopped near Pari Chowk in the Greater Noida.
As per sources, Mr Gandhi told the policemen that he will leave his convoy and take the 158-km journey via foot, but was not allowed. In a tussle that followed, Mr Gandhi fell down on road and received minor brushes.
According to a video which emerged on media, the former Congress president and a UP policeman can be seen arguing, In another clip, he can be seen losing his balance and falling on the ground. The Congress leader can be heard asking, 'Why can't I visit Hathras?'
The incident led to a ruckus with hooliganism and Mr Gandhi sat on a 'dharna' on the road itself. He, along with his sister Ms Vadra, were detained under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant), a police official said.
The high drama evoked sharp criticism from the Congress. 'Lala Lajpat Rai said that every lathi that hits my body will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the British Rule,' AICC Media In-Charge Randeep Surjewala said in the National Capital.
Earlier in the morning, the Hathras administration blocked the entry of even media persons in the Boolagarhi village of Hathras, where the victim lived with her parents.
Superintendent of Police, Hathras Vikrant Vir said as the Special Investigating Team (SIT) has started the probe, the entry to the village has been blocked due to the COVID-19 scare and other security issues.
District Magistrate of Hathras, P Lakshakar said the family members too have requested the authorities not to allow the media persons inside their village, so that they can live in peace, after the death of their daughter.
'The family members are happy with the government action and have accepted the compensation given to them,' he added.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh, along with a government job and a house to the victim's family, besides an SIT probe and a fast-track trial.
In another parallel development, as per media reports, UP ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar stated that the 19-year-old victim died due to injuries on neck and trauma. The senior police official said as per a forensic science laboratory (FSL) report, sperms were not found in the samples.
Meanwhile, the SIT led by Home Secretary Bhagwan Swarup, met the family members of the girl on Wednesday night and recorded their statements.
Protest against the caste atrocities were reported from the some parts of the state. Class IV employees of Moradabad went on a strike and refused to clean the city, in protest against the Hathras incident.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati asked the Centre to change to replace Yogi Adityanath from the chief minister's post as his government has 'failed' to protect women.
'The incidents from Hathras and Balrampur have shocked me to the core. There is no rule of law in the state at the moment. Instead, criminals, mafias and rapists are ruling the state. The law and order of the state has collapsed completely. Females in the state under the current regime are not safe at all,' she said.
The girl, a native of Hathras, had gone to a farm with her mother on September 14, to collect animal fodder. However, four upper caste men allegedly raped, assaulted brutally, strangulated and dragged her with her 'dupatta'.
She was later found in the field with severe injuries, Hathras Superintendent of Police Vikrant Vir had told media persons.
The victim was shifted to Safdarjung hospital in south Delhi from Aligarh's J N Medical College Hospital (JNMCH) on the request of her father for better care, where she breathed her last on Tuesday early morning.
All the four accused, identified as Sandip, Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi, have been arrested and booked under relevant Sections of IPC, added SP Vir.
UNI Team PS RJ 2058