AGRA: Exactly four years after the murder and alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras, on Sept 14, 2020, the family has left the ashes of the victim unimmersed. They told TOI that they are still waiting for justice. They added that they continue to live in “jail-like conditions”, with restrictions on where they go and whom they meet, surrounded 24×7 by security personnel.They alleged that promises made by the govt – of a job for a family member and a house – have remained unfulfilled.
Three of the accused were acquitted and a fourth sentenced to life imprisonment. By releasing the alleged perpetrators, justice has been denied to them, said the family.
They have now approached the Allahabad HC. “In the chargesheet, CBI had charged the accused with rape and attempt to murder, so how can their charges be dropped? Our sister’s statements, the ones she gave on her deathbed, were also not considered valid. She was hurriedly cremated by authorities in the middle of the night,” said the girl’s elder brother.
Her younger brother pointed out that when his sister was found after the gruesome crime, her spinal cord was severely injured and her tongue had been cut off. “If no one did it, how did it happen?”
Instead, the brothers say there were attempts at turning the case against them. At one point, it felt like they were accusing us of honour killing. The elder brother added: “When the three were released and they came home, they were welcomed with garlands and their families distributed sweets in the neighbourhood. They feel they are invincible now.”
Survival in the village, the brothers say, has been hard. “At first, they used to threaten us and if anyone would stand in our support, they would threaten them too. Now it seems everyone in the village is with them,” the younger brother said.
Four CRPF officials are stationed at their house at all times. “Wherever we go, the CRPF officers accompany us. We’re literally under house arrest. And the (court) case is going nowhere,” he added.
Three of the accused were acquitted and a fourth sentenced to life imprisonment. By releasing the alleged perpetrators, justice has been denied to them, said the family.
They have now approached the Allahabad HC. “In the chargesheet, CBI had charged the accused with rape and attempt to murder, so how can their charges be dropped? Our sister’s statements, the ones she gave on her deathbed, were also not considered valid. She was hurriedly cremated by authorities in the middle of the night,” said the girl’s elder brother.
Her younger brother pointed out that when his sister was found after the gruesome crime, her spinal cord was severely injured and her tongue had been cut off. “If no one did it, how did it happen?”
Instead, the brothers say there were attempts at turning the case against them. At one point, it felt like they were accusing us of honour killing. The elder brother added: “When the three were released and they came home, they were welcomed with garlands and their families distributed sweets in the neighbourhood. They feel they are invincible now.”
Survival in the village, the brothers say, has been hard. “At first, they used to threaten us and if anyone would stand in our support, they would threaten them too. Now it seems everyone in the village is with them,” the younger brother said.
Four CRPF officials are stationed at their house at all times. “Wherever we go, the CRPF officers accompany us. We’re literally under house arrest. And the (court) case is going nowhere,” he added.
#Awaiting #justice #years #Hathras #victims #family #holds #ashes #India #News #Times #India
