NHRC on Hathras Gangrape : Issues Notice To UP Government, State Police Chief

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state’s police chief regarding the Hathras gang rape case. A 19 year old Dalit girl was gang raped by four men, reportedly of upper caste.

The Commission has sent notices to the chief secretary of the state government and the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh as well. 

Four men raped her on September 14 in Hathras, a district of India's largest state Uttar Pradesh. It was so brutal that she suffered spinal injuries, paralysis, and cuts in her tongue. The rapists allegedly tried to strangle her with her own dupatta (scarf) and tortured her. The girl died at Safdarjung Hospital on September 29th.

The Commission "has gone through the contents of the media reports which are very painful. A young woman belonging to SC community has been subjected to sexual harassment and brutality. It is apparent that the police was not able to take timely action to trace and save the victim girl due to which the young woman could not be saved from being subjected to grave cruelty. The way the perpetrators have acted shows that they had no fear of law in their mind. The family has suffered an irrevocable loss. A young and a precious human life has been lost."

National Human Rights Commission on the case

The NHRC added, via a press release on its website “The DGP ( Director General Police) of Uttar Pradesh is expected to look personally into the matter to ensure a speedy trial so that the culprits could be punished by the competent court without any further delay."

It is apparent that the police was not able to take timely action to trace and save the victim girl due to which the young woman could not be saved from being subjected to grave cruelty.

NHRC further added that the case in question was not just a violation of human rights but also that there were allegations that not enough was being done to investigate in such cases in the state. 

Also Read: Sonia Gandhi on Hathras rape case : She wasn’t raped, she was murdered

NHRC added, “The way the perpetrators have acted shows that they had no fear of law in their mind. The family has suffered an irrevocable loss. A young and a precious human life has been lost.

Also Read: Hathras Gang Rape Was Not The First. There Is A List Of Heinous Crimes Against Dalit Women

As per media report, the girl's family was locked in their house and the cremation was carried out against their wishes. Her brother further alleged that her body was taken away without their consent. You can read more from here

The commission further added, “In the current scenario, it is necessary that the family of the deceased as well as other members of the SC community residing in the village are provided proper protection by the police. Both the authorities are expected to submit their report, within the stipulated time.”

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that a three-member SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been set up to investigate the rape. You can read more from here

Sagrika Giri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV