Members of the Brahmin and Thakur communities, among others, attended a mahapanchayat in Baghna village, two kilometers from the Boolgarhi village of the murder and gang-rape victim Hathras, on Friday and said the four defendants In the case they were innocent. They also demanded a CBI probe. The defendants have been arrested and all belong to the so-called upper castes.
The mahapanchayat threatened to launch an agitation if the defendants are not released and also referred to the report from the Agra Forensic Science Laboratory. On Thursday, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Prashant Kumar and Hathras District Magistrate Praveen Kumar had cited the forensic science lab report as denying the gang rape.
“There was representation of everyone in the mahapanchayat. We demand an investigation by the CBI on the matter, in addition to the narco-proof of the accused and the victim’s family members so that the true culprit is punished. The forensic science laboratory has not confirmed the gang rape, so the four (defendants) must be released, ”said Sumant Kishore Singh, representative of the Hasayan bloc.
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“We will meet with members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday and inform them of the truth. If we don’t get justice even then, it will call for further agitation, ”said a member of the upper caste who attended the mahapanchayat.
The state government has formed a three-member SIT to investigate the case and the district administration has stated that the matter will be heard in fast-track court. The victim belonged to the Valmiki (Dalit) community and had named four defendants for brutalizing and gang-raping her.
She was reportedly gang raped and ill-treated on September 14. After fighting for her life at JN Medical College in Aligarh, she was transferred to New Delhi on September 28 and died in Safdarjung Hospital the next day.
Initially, a case was registered against a defendant under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempted murder). Thereafter, Section 354 (attempt to outrage modesty) was added. Finally, a gang rape case (376D) was registered against four defendants, all of whom are in custody.
Victim’s village out of reach
As for the village of Boolgarhi, it became inaccessible to the media on Friday with barricades and police personnel deployed in every possible location. Officials said the SIT’s ongoing investigation was the reason for the restrictions.
“The three-member Special Investigation Team is conducting the investigation in the village. Until then, the entry of the media will remain restricted. We are also maintaining law and order. Therefore, no political delegations or individuals are allowed within the village, ”said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Prakash Kumar in Hathras.
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Throughout the day, journalists tried in vain to enter the village to interact with the victim’s family. There were reports that the cell phones of relatives were taken. But the police denied those charges.
“We are simply asking permission to meet with family members, which we are denied. We are not allowed to enter the town, ”said a journalist.
Article 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was imposed to guarantee public order. Section 144 prohibits the gathering of four or more people.
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