The truth behind the screaming headlines in the Hathras case

The Hathras gang-rape case is now taking the shape of a massive political issue, amidst new angles and plain contradictions between media reports and the administration’s version of the entire incident.

As per latest media reports, the 19-year victim, who succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday night was cremated at her native village, allegedly in the dead of night and without her family’s presence or consent.

As per these reports, the Delhi Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police took the victim’s family to Hathras at about 9.30 PM on the date of her death at Delhi’s Safdurjung hospital. The body of the deceased victim was taken along in an ambulance. The family was reportedly dropped at their home but the ambulance carrying the body was allegedly taken to the cremation ground straightaway.

Locals, victim’s family members and her relatives are said to have opposed the hasty cremation. More allegations have since surfaced. According to Times Now, the family alleged that they were beaten up for resisting the hasty cremation, following which they locked themselves up in their house and finally the cremation was conducted at 2.45 AM on Wednesday.

An India Today report also alleges that police officials locked the family inside the house and that 200 police officials stood outside the house with batons and sticks, effectively barricading it.

Initially, the police had registered a case against one Sandeep for the attempt to murder and under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. But after recording the deceased’s statement, gang-rape charges were also added to the FIR and three more people were arrested by the police.

Meanwhile, the administration has denied reports of a forceful cremation. In fact, the core issue of the accused committing gang-rape upon the victim too is not being confirmed by the police. Aligarh Inspector General Piyush Mordia said, “On 22nd September, the victim named three other persons and made allegations of rape. The medical examination did not confirm rape. Samples have been sent to forensic lab and the report is awaited.”

Initially, the case was being seen as that of an old family enmity between the victim’s family leading into the heinous crime. ASP Hathras, Prakash Kumar said, “In what was being seen as a case of enmity between two families, took a new turn on Tuesday when the investigating officer went to record the statement of the girl in the hospital. Earlier, she was not in a condition to record her statement.”

Nevertheless, if the victim gave a dying declaration, then it becomes a strong piece of evidence. And therefore, a preliminary medical examination cannot be taken as settling the crucial fact. Moreover, the Hathras Police has also denied that a forceful cremation was conducted. Hathras Police claims that the cremation was conducted by the victim’s family as per rituals, and in the supervision of the police and administration. Also, it is being said that the father of the victim was indeed present at the cremation site.

The District Magistrate too has said, “The allegations that funeral was conducted without family’s consent are wrong. The father & brother gave their consent to conduct funeral at night. Family members were also present at funeral. Vehicle carrying victim’s body was present at village from 12:45 to 2:30 AM.”

Also, the administrative authorities and the police have denied reports about the injuries sustained by the deceased victim. While some reports claimed that the tongue of the deceased was cut, her spine broken and eyeballs punctured, the police claim that medical report doesn’t mention any such injuries.

The case will, of course, need a proper and fair investigation as the allegations made are serious. It needs to be examined if there were contradictory claims and a second post-mortem needed. Also, if the allegations of the family being kept away are true, then it also constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental rights of the victim, as well has her family.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath tweeted, “Prime Minister spoke about the Hathras incident and asked for strict action against those responsible.”

The issue is bound to snowball into a major political face off with opposition leaders already trying to capitalise upon it. A caste angle is also being given to the unfortunate incident.

The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath must take not only strict but also swift action against those found guilty at all levels. An example will have to be set and any foul play met with strict punishment in order to control the level of damage being caused to the public perception of justice administration in the state.