The CBI took over the Hathras case last week on Saturday.
Hathras, Uttar Pradesh:
The IWC today launched an investigation into the alleged gang rape and torture of a 20-year-old Dalit woman, who died in a hospital in Delhi last month, two weeks after the savage assault that sparked mass outrage across the country. A team of CBI officials visited the victim’s village this afternoon, about a month after she was allegedly gang-raped by four men from the so-called upper caste.
The team visited the millet field in UP village where, according to the victim’s brother, the defendant attempted to strangle the 20-year-old woman. The victim’s mother, who was unwell, was also taken to the crime scene by CBI officials as she returned home in an ambulance after a brief visit to the hospital.
The CBI officials were also accompanied by a forensic expert, police personnel and the victim’s brother. The team left the crime scene after more than two hours. Subsequently, the team visited the place where the victim was cremated and his home.
The CBI team is headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Seema Pahuja, who previously handled the Shimla rape and murder case.
Hathras case: CBI officials were also accompanied by a forensic expert, police personnel and the victim’s brother.
On September 30, the chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, formed a special investigation team (SIT), which was due to present its report in seven days. Later, he obtained a 10-day extension.
The case, however, has been taken up by the CBI, which presented a First Information Report (FIR) on Sunday.
The CBI registered the FIR in the Hathras case under sections 376-D (gang rape), 307 (attempted murder) and 302 (murder) of the IPC and Section 3 of the SC / ST Act (crimes of atrocities).
The state government and UP Police have come under strong criticism for the Hathras case.
Much of that criticism has been about the government’s handling of the case, including its treatment of the young woman’s traumatized family, who was allegedly locked in their home while their daughter was hastily cremated at night.
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