The family of the 19-year-old Hathras victim recorded their statements before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high Court on Monday. According to victim’s family lawyer Seema Kushwaha, all three prayers of family were considered by the HC. First, the family wanted the case to be moved out of Uttar Pradesh. Second, it did not want the media to reveal the probe details as its narrative might hamper the investigation. Lastly, family should be provided security till the conclusion of the trial. Kushwaha said that an affidavit in this regard would be filed before the court on November 2.
While examining the conduct of Hathras police in the case, the court questioned the midnight cremation of the victim. The court asked if the girl would have been given the same treatment had she belonged to a rich family. District Magistrate Praveen Kumar, who was present in the court, took responsibility of the cremation. The administration said that the cremation was done at night in view of the law and order situation. The police added that the last rites of the victim were performed with family’s permission, but could not answer tough questions put forward by the court during cross-examination.
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The 19-year-old girl was gang-raped by a group of four upper-caste men in her village when she had gone out to collect fodder. Her body was found by family in a deeply injury state later. The victim succumbed to her injuries two weeks later at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is facing severe criticism due to its handling of the case. The family has alleged that the police has been threatening and intimidating them. The police have arrested four men in connection with the case. However, they have pleaded not guilty and have said that the victim was beaten up by her own family.