Hathras rape case highlights: Victim's family demands CBI probe; Allahabad HC summons top UP govt officials

The police in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Thursday said it has lodged an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and around 200 other party workers under The Epidemic Diseases Act for not maintaining social distancing and not wearing face masks. Earlier in the day, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were detailed along with other Congress leaders when they were en route to meet kin of the Hathras gangrape victim. Opposition parties have slammed CM Yogi for the lack of women's safety and attack on Dalits in the state. A 19-year-old Dalit woman from Uttar Pradesh's Hathras died at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi on September 29, days after she was gang-raped by four men on September 14. The incident triggered a massive outrage with the opposition leaders targeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for failing to ensure the safety of the women in the state. Uttar Pradesh police on claimed that the postmortem report and forensic examination of the Hathras victim did not confirm ''rape or gang rape' and that she had died owing to injury on her neck.

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FIR against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and 200 other Congress workers in Noida

The FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (unlawfully or negligently spreading infection of any disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and under section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, the police said.

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FIR lodged against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and around 200 party workers under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Epidemic Diseases Act: Gautam Buddh Nagar police (PTI)

Hathras gang rape: Student bodies holds protest at DU's north campus, demand justice for victim

A statement said Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) activists along with other progressive organizations of DU held demonstrations against the barbarous gang-rape in Hathras and the denial of justice to the victim and her family by UP government's state machinery.

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Hathras case: Presence of semen on victim's body not essential for prosecution in rape, experts

Legal experts Thursday debunked the theory propounded by the Uttar Pradesh Police that absence of semen from the body of Hathras victim suggested that she was not raped, saying presence of sperm cannot be an essential ingredient to prove the crime.

Senior advocates Rebecca John and Vikas Pahwa told PTI that absence of semen on the body of alleged gang rape victim as claimed by the police in the forensic report was of no consequence for the prosecution of accused persons for the offence as there was a dying declaration that cannot be discredited.

“So what (the semen was not found)? Offence of rape doesn't require its presence. And anyway there was a dying declaration.

“Some extraordinary evidence will be needed to discredit the dying declaration,” John said.

(PTI)

'Jungle raj' bogey rises to haunt BJP in UP amid Hathras, Balrampur gang rape cases

This comes at a time when election campaign for Bihar polls scheduled in October-November is gaining momentum and Opposition parties are already putting their strategy in place for the Assembly polls in UP in 2022.

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Hathras case: Victim's family alleges admin, police pressure; demands CBI probe

The family of the 19-year-old Dalit woman who succumbed to her injuries at a Delhi hospital after she was allegedly gangraped in Hathras on Thursday alleged they were being pressured by the district administration against “repeatedly changing” their statement.

The father of the woman, whose death has triggered a massive outrage in the country and sharp criticism for the UP government, said he was being pressured by government officials and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

(PTI)

Allahabad HC summons top UP govt officials in Hathras gang-rape & murder case

Upset with the alleged gang-rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh and her forcible cremation subsequently, a Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Thursday summoned top government officials to the court.

A bench of justices Rajan Roy and Jaspreet Singh issued summons to the Uttar Pradesh additional chief secretary, director general of police and additional director general of police, asking them to be present before the court on October 12 explain the case.

Taking suo moto cognisance of the September 14 gang-rape and subsequent death of the teenager, the bench also ordered the Hathras district magistrate and senior superintendent of police to appear before it.

The bench asked all officials to come prepared with all the relevant material and documents to apprise the court of their versions of the incident.

(PTI)

Allahabad High Court takes suo motu cognizance of the Hathras incident

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court takes suo motu cognizance of the Hathras incident. Court seeks response from ACS Home, DGP, ADG Law & Order and Hathras DM & SP by 12th October. (ANI)

Congress points out Amendment of IPC Section 375 in 2013

"ADG @Uppolice says semen not found in rape #HathrasCase - Amendment of IPC Section 375 in 2013 - Supreme Court's State of UP vs Babulnath 1994 clearly said that rape is not only penetration of the penis, but attempting to is also considered as rape. Shame," said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.

Mayawati urges PM Modi to either sack UP CM Adityanath or ask him to resign

''BJP should send Adityanath back to Gorakhpur Mutt (he is the mahant of the Mutt)... else he may be asked to supervise the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya,'' she said.

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All the four accused have already been arrested and sent to jail: Hathras Police

"In the unfortunate incident that happened in Hathras. All the four accused have already been arrested and sent to Jail. Required actions are being taken to prevent occurrence of such crimes in future. We are fully committed to ensure the safety and security of women and children," said Hathras police, replying to SP, AAP and Congress on Twitter.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mullappally Ramachandran and Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala along with Congress workers hold demonstration against the alleged gangrape of a woman in Hathras (UP)

I met with 6 family members of the victim today and yesterday: District Magistrate, Hathras

"I met with 6 family members of the victim yesterday & we spoke for about an hour & a half. I met with them again today to see their point of discontent. I deny the negative rumours which are rife about my interactions with them," says P K Laxkar, District Magistrate, Hathras.

"Their main point of apprehension is that the convicted must be punished and be hanged to death. I tried to allay their fears and told them that the matter would be tried in a fast track court," he said.

Delhi Congress workers detained over candlelight march

Delhi: Congress workers took out a candlelight march near India Gate against the alleged gang rape of a woman in Hathras (Uttar Pradesh). They were later detained by Police.

Tamil Nadu: Congress workers stage protest in Chennai against the alleged gangrape of a woman in #Hathras (Uttar Pradesh).

What is wrong if the leaders of a political party protest against a gruesome crime and wish to visit the victim’s family, asks P Chidambaram

"UP police is a law into itself. None of the laws of the country seem to apply to it. What is wrong if the leaders of a political party protest against a gruesome crime and wish to visit the victim’s family?" asked senior Congress leader P Chidambaram.

"The two leaders were not violent, they did not carry arms, they were lodging a peaceful protest. Why should the police stop them from protesting peacefully?" he tweeted.

"Why should the UP police arrest the two leaders and take them away? I hope the Court where the leaders will be produced will release them forthwith," he said.

Bhim Army chief says UP CM unable to handle govt, demands President's Rule

Azad Samaj Party chief and Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad on Thursday demanded President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh, alleging failure of constitutional machinery in the state over crimes against Dalits.

Azad said he has started a “dharna” at his home in Saharanpur where he is put under a “house arrest”, which was ordered by the local police on Wednesday.

(PTI)

DMK wants UP CM to apologise for treatment meted out to Rahul Gandhi

DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday demanded that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath apologise for the alleged inhumane treatment meted out to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by police. Anarchy and unruliness governed Uttar Pradesh, it appeared and not rule of law, he alleged reacting to the crimes against women there and police stopping Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra amid melee. When Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka were on their way to meet a rape victim's family they were prevented from going ahead and Uttar Pradesh police unleashed the worst kind of force against Rahul and pushed him to the ground, Stalin claimed. Rahul was shoved by policemen which was inhumane, disrespectful, and went against human rights and democratic ethos and highly condemnable,he said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should openly apologise for it, Stalin demanded in a statement.

Rahul was prevented from going ahead with his task of meeting the victim's family, he said.

(PTI)

Hathras borders sealed, SIT to meet rape victim’s family

A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) have reached at Hathras to meet victim’s family on October 01. While speaking to ANI, District Magistrate (DM) of Hathras Praveen Kumar Laxkar said, “Borders of Hathras are sealed. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the district, more than 5 people are not allowed to gather.”

“We have no information about Priyanka Gandhi’s visit. SIT will meet the victim's family members today, media will not be allowed,” he added.

BSP seeks capital punishment for Hathras rapists

A BSP delegation led by BSP’s Rishikesh senior vice-president, Pankaj Jatav, met SDM Varun Chaudhary and handed a memorandum addressed to the President, demanding the hanging of the perpetrators of the crime.

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After Hathras incident, yet another Dalit woman gang-raped in Uttar Pradesh, dies

Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav said, "After Hathras, now a daughter was harassed and gang-raped in Balrampur. The victim died in serious condition. Condolences!"

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Impose president’s rule in Uttar Pradesh, says Mayawati over Hathras, Balrampur incidents

Raising questions on the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday demanded that the leadership should be changed or president’s rule be imposed in the state.

Referring to the deaths of two young women in Hathras and Balrampur regions in the state, she said the incidents are reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case in Delhi.

"In the wake of the law and order situation in the state and the flood of crimes against women, the central government should replace Yogi Adityanath with some 'kaabil’ (capable) person and if this is not possible, president's rule should be imposed in the state," Mayawati said.

"I want to say to Yogi Adityanath that you are born from the womb of a woman. You should consider the sisters and daughters of others as your sister and daughter. If you are unable to protect them, you should resign,” she asserted.

(PTI)

Adityanath should focus on ending 'jungle raj' in UP: Deshmukh

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the Hathras and Balrampur rape victims' deaths.

Taking to Twitter, Deshmukh said that instead of commenting on the affairs of other states, Adityanath should focus on ending the "jungle raj" in Uttar Pradesh.

A 22-year-old Dalit woman died on Tuesday after allegedly being raped by two men in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district. She succumbed to critical injuries on the same day a 19-year-old woman from Hathras in UP breathed her last in a Delhi hospital two weeks after she was gangraped.

Both the women were cremated on Wednesday.

"A day after heart-wrenching #Hathras gangrape incident in UP yet another heinous crime has been reported in Balrampur. Victims in both incidents were brutally assaulted by culprits. Instead of commenting on other states @myogiadityanath Ji should focus on #UP's law & order," Deshmukh tweeted.

Like Sita had to give 'Agni Pariksha', Hathras woman's body was put on pyre: Mamata

Hitting out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that as Goddess Sita had to go through 'Agni Pariksha', the Dalit woman who died after being gang-raped and brutalised in Hathras was put on a funeral pyre in the dead of the night.

Addressing a government programme in the Jalpaiguri district, she questioned the role of the UP Police in handling the case that triggered a massive outrage across the country.

"Once Goddess Sita had to go through 'Agni Pariksha' (test by fire). Now in UP, the woman was raped, and later her body was put on a funeral pyre," Banerjee said.

"If a crime takes place, action has to be taken within 72 hours, as we have done. What kind of an administration is this where the body of the woman was cremated in the dead of the night while no proceedings were initiated (against the accused)," she added.

Banerjee alleged that the mother of the woman was also threatened that she too would be cremated on the pyre along with her daughter.

(PTI)

FSL report confirms Hathras victim wasn't raped, says Uttar Pradesh ADG

Kumar said that the postmortem report confirmed that the girl died due to neck injury. He further said that the FSL report showed that she was not raped, and deliberate attempts were made to "stir caste-based tension".

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In Pics | Outrage across nation over Hathras rape case

Protests broke out across the country demanding justice for a 19-year-old Dalit woman who died a fortnight after she was allegedly gang-raped in Hathras.

Here's a look at protests across the country

WATCH | Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, KC Venugopal & Randeep Surjewala being taken to Buddh International Circuit in Gautam Buddh Nagar, after they were detained by UP Police on their way to Hathras

Congress leaders brought to Buddha International Circuit by UP Police

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, K C Venugopal & Surjewala detained by UP Police and taken to Buddh International Circuit, Gautam Budh Nagar

West Bengal: Congress workers staged a protest in Kolkata, demanding justice for Hathras (Uttar Pradesh) alleged gang-rape victim.

Mamata questions UP's govt over Hathras rape case

"In Uttar Pradesh, not only the victim was raped then her body was burnt. If there is a crime, Police should investigate. What kind of rule is this? Sometimes minorities are tortured, sometimes 'dalits' are tortured & sometimes 'adivasis' are tortured," says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Postmortem report says victim died due to her neck injury: ADG

"Postmortem report says victim died due to her neck injury. FSL report hasn't found sperm in samples, making it clear that some ppl twisted the matter to stir caste-based tension. Such people will be identified and legal action will be taken," says ADG Prashant Kumar on Hathras case. (ANI)

Hathras-like incidents won't be tolerated in Maharashtra: CM Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that Hathras-like incidents will not be tolerated in the state and those indulging in crime against women would be dealt with severely.

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Those who spoke of Hinduism did not even allow the father to burn a daughter's pyre, it is an injustice: Priyanka Gandhi

Earlier pictures of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being roughed up by Uttar Pradesh police at Yamuna Expressway, while he was on his way to Hathras. Rahul Gandhi falls down after being stopped by UP police enroute Hathras.

WATCH | Hathras gang-rape: ‘Aligarh hospital not confirming rape,’ says SP Vikrant Vir

Speaking on the Hathras gang-rape incident in which the victim succumbed to her injuries, Hathras SP Vikrant Vir on October 01 said as of now, doctors of Aligarh hospital said that they're not confirming rape, and he can give firm opinion only when they get FSL report.

He said, “Medical report from Aligarh hospital mentions injuries but doesn't confirm forced sexual intercourse. They're waiting for report of Forensics. As of now, doctors say that they're not confirming rape, can give firm opinion only when they get FSL report.”

“SIT (Special Investigation Team) came to the district yesterday. They had visited the village and met the victim's family. They had even inspected the crime spot. The team is still in the village, meeting the family and carrying out further investigation,” he added.

"Nothing will stop those that fight for justice. Not bullets, not batons, not even tyrants," tweeted INC on Rahul Gandhi detained in UP.

"In the hour of grief, your own are not left alone. It is the world of 'Jangalraj' in UP that it also scares the government to meet a family in mourning. Don't be afraid so much, Mr. Chief Minister!" tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi detained by UP police on the way to Hathras, asks cops, 'On what grounds?'

Priyanka Gandhi alleges lathicharge against Congress workers, terms it barbaric

Just now police pushed me, lathicharged me and threw me to the ground. I want to ask, can only Modi ji walk in this country? Can't a normal person walk? Our vehicle was stopped, so we started walking: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Yamuna Expressway, on his way to Hathras village.

Samajwadi Party workers stage a protest demonstration in Hathras demanding justice for the rape victim

National Commission For Women (NCW) writes to DGP, Uttar Pradesh on Hathras alleged gangrape victim's body being cremated at midnight, seeking an explanation on the urgency to cremate the body of the victim in the absence of the family. NCW asks administration to send their reply.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi walks to Hathras village with Rahul Gandhi. Credit: Special Arrangement

In Hathras, the district magistrate has imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and ordered sealing of the district borders to maintain peace. (PTI)

Sanitation workers in Moradabad demonstrate in the Civil Lines area of the city, demanding justice for the Hathras victim of alleged gang-rape.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi's supporters wave party flags near his car on the DND Flyway, while he was on the way to Hathras to meet Dalit rape victim's family, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi walk to Hathras in bid to visit kin of gangrape victim at Yamuna Expressway.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leave for Hathras in Uttar Pradesh where a 19-year-old woman was gang-raped.

Autopsy reports shows Hathras gangrape victim was strangled and suffered cervical spine injury, reports NDTV

Hathras gangrape victim was referred to AIIMS, not Safdarjung hospital: Aligarh medical college principal

The principal of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) hospital, where the Hathras gangrape victim was under treatment for more than two weeks, on Thursday said he had no idea why she was admitted to the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi when they had referred her to the AIIMS.

"We are not in a position to explain as to why the patient was taken to the Safarjung hospital in New Delhi when we had referred her to the AIIMS," Professor Shahid Ali Siddiqui said.

"On the night of September 28, the victim's family sought permission to shift her and we willingly referred her to the AIIMS," he added.

The next morning, the patient, along with her family members, left for Delhi.

Maharashtra Home Minister Deshmukh on rape cases in Uttar Pradesh

We saw Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanth giving advice to others during the past some months. I suggest him to take care of his state and take strict action against 'jungle raj' prevailing there, says Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh.

The barbaric criminals will definitely be punished for their barbarism, says Union Minister Naqvi

The probe teams are carrying out the investigation. But I think there should not be political tourism on the same, says Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, on recent incidents of rape in Uttar Pradesh.

Those who are trying to increase the tension through political tourism, should not do that. Everyone is saddened and want punishment for the culprits, Uttar Pradesh govt is working towards it. You will see the results soon, he said.

After the Hathras incident, I hoped the Uttar Pradesh government will take action against people committing crimes against women. But a similar crime has been committed against a Dalit student in Balrampur. Under BJP's UP govt, criminals, mafias andrapists are having a free run, saysBSP chief Mayawati.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to visit Hathras on Thursday to meet kin of the gang-rape victim amid outrage over Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s handling of the situation.

Hathras gang rape case: India will rise against your unjust ways, Sonia Gandhi tells BJP

In a scathing attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for “inhuman handling” of the Hathras gang rape case, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said the nation would no longer tolerate its injustice and rise against it.

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Hathras case: NCW to seek explanation from UP police on family's claims

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said the commission condemns that the gang-rape victim was cremated without family's involvement. "In UP Gang-Rape Tragedy, 2.30 am Cremation By Cops, Family was Kept Out. @NCWIndia condemn it strongly. Why the family wasn't allowed in Cremation? Why at night?@Uppolice @hathraspolice," Sharma tweeted.

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Hathras rape case: PM Modi speaks to CM Yogi Adityanath, calls for strict action

Amid outrage over the Hathras gang-rape case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and sought strict action against the accused, the Chief Minister's office said.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday constituted a three-member SIT to probe the Hathras gang-rape incident which has sparked outrage. A senior government official said the Chief Minister has also asked for conducting the trial of the case in a fast track court.