Protests took place in various parts of the country on Sunday over the alleged gang-rape and murder case of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras even as the state government suspended senior police officers for negligence in investigating the crime.
Here are the top developments:
UP government attempting to hide what happened in Hathras, says Kanimozhi
Condemning the actions of Uttar Pradesh government, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said that the “state is attempting to hide what happened in Hathras.”
Speaking to mediapersons, she also questioned the “attacks” on opposition leaders who were attempting to meet the family of the victim.
“The UP government is trying to hide what happened there (in Hathras). The funeral by police and attack on journalists is strongly condemnable. Moreover, the political leaders who are going there are also being attacked,” she alleged.
Accused defended at meeting held at former BJP MLA’s residence.
Scores of people held a meeting on Sunday outside the house of a former BJP MLA in Hathras where they defended the accused in the alleged gangrape of a Dalit woman, and demanded registration of an FIR against her family members.
Heavy police force was deployed in the vicinity of the residence of former BJP MLA Rajvir Singh Pehalvan, located around 8-9 kilometres from the victim’s village.
One of the organisers of the meeting and Pehalvan’s son Manveer Singh denied that the gathering comprised members from the upper castes and said they were from “different sections of society”.
“We welcome the CBI inquiry ordered by the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. We have faith in the investigation,” Singh told PTI while claiming that the victim’s family members were “changing their stand”.
Bhim Army chief demands probe under retired SC judge, Y-security for victim’s family
After visiting the girl’s house, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad demanded ‘Y level security’ for her family along with a probe in the case under a retired Supreme Court judge.
I demand ‘Y security’ for the family or I will take them to my house, they are not safe here. If actor Kangna Ranaut can get a Y level security, why can’t they? We also want an inquiry to be done under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge,” he said. ( TOI )