It’s payback time it seems from the Yogi administration in Uttar Pradesh against the alleged conspirators of the Hathras tragedy. In its affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking CBI enquiry, the state government has asserted that “cremation” took place in the presence of the victim of the family; as well as the angle of “rape” was manufactured since neither the provisional medical report nor sample sent to FSL mention of any rape having taken place.
In its affidavit, the state government states that the victim of the father had accompanied the police to the cremation ground where the rites were performed. As to why the cremation had to take place at 2.30 on the night of September 29, the affidavit states it was done so since there was intel inputs that vested interests were trying to stoke up violence by pushing the caste agenda. Lakhs of protestors with support from political parties and media were spoiling for trouble on the morning of September 30 in the village and hence UP police had to take the decision of cremation at night, the affidavit asserts.
Pertinently, Hindi daily Jagran had reported on September 15 of a family feud between the accused and the victim. Besides the report had made no mention of any sexual assault on the victim. It had even identified the victim by the name.
Further, another report in Jagran on October 3 spoke of a senior Congress leader in Uttar Pradesh having met the victim on September 19 following which the allegation of eve-teasing was added. The report had also mentioned that it was on September 22, eight days after the incident, that allegations of rape emerged and three additional names were added to the list of the accused.
The UP state government filed the affidavit hours before the Supreme Court was to hear the first PIL over the Hathras case. The Supreme Court will be hearing a plea seeking a CBI or a SIT probe into the Hathras incident. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde will hear the petition by a social activist and two lawyers alleging failure by the UP authorities on the matter.
Meanwhile, NDTV has quoted a FIR by the UP Police which alleges that the family of the victim was offered Rs 50 lakhs to lie about the alleged gang-rape.
