The Central Bureau of Investigation is in the process of taking over the probe into the alleged gang rape and assault on a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras on September 14, following a reference from the Uttar Pradesh government. The victim succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Delhi on September 29.
The case is likely to be handed over to the Ghaziabad unit of the agency. A team comprising forensic experts will soon be sent to the spot where the incident took place.
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The woman was initially admitted to a hospital in Aligarh after she was allegedly assaulted by four upper caste persons in her village. She was then shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in South Delhi.
The local police registered a criminal case against one Sandip on a complaint from the victim’s brother. The accused was arrested on charges of attempt-to-murder and under relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act. Based on the woman’s statement on September 22, three more persons were booked and an additional provision of gang rape was invoked. The three, identified as Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi, were also arrested.
The victim’s death triggered a public outrage, leading the Opposition political parties to take up the matter. It was alleged that the local administration consigned the body to the flames in the early hours of September 30 without the consent of her family members. However, the district officials claimed that the last rites were performed with their consent and that some close members of the family were present at the funeral.
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The local administration was also accused of preventing the media from covering the developments in the matter.
Amid the public outcry, the State government decided to hand over the case to the CBI. The State government also asked for a probe into the alleged criminal conspiracy to spread caste conflict and fomenting violence in the area.