India has been rocked by the gory incidents in Kathua and Unnao as students and opposition take to the streets. (Representational)
The horrific crimes in Kathua and Unnao have led to massive outrage across the country with protests being organised in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh and other places. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early this morning detained BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in connection with the Unnao case in which a 17-year-old girl was alleged raped and her father later died in judicial custody; in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, meanwhile, the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old has assumed a political colour. The local BJP here is rallying against the police in support of the accused.
Making an statement in the Unnao rape case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Investigation has been handed over to the CBI. I believe the CBI would have arrested the MLA also. Our government will not compromise on this, no matter how influential the accused is, he will not be spared.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to make any statement on either of the incidents.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi along with his sister Priyanka Vadra Gandhi led a midnight candlelight march to India Gate on Thursday seeking justice for the victims. A number of student and women organisations, too, protested in Delhi and other places
Ensuring justice for the eight-year-old girl, J-K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said, “I want to assure the entire nation that I stand committed not just to ensure justice for the minor girl but also seek exemplary punishment for those responsible for a crime whose brutal savagery has shamed humanity.” “The Jammu and Kashmir government will introduce a new law to ensure death penalty for those raping minors across the state,” she asserted. Also Read | Kathua rape-murder case: BJP to Congress, all part of outfit targeting J-K police probe
The lawyers tried to stop filing of chargesheet in the Kathua rape and murder case.
Only half of my statement was reported. She was a daughter of the nation. I only said I suspect that Pakistani infiltrator was involved in raising "Jai Shri Ram" slogans as no Hindu group can do this after raping and killing a minor girl, says BJP MP Nandkumar Singh Chauhan.
Medical Superintendent and Casualty officer at Unnao District Hospital have been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against three other doctors.
Statements of all family members were taken separately. They said they will collect evidence later. We will go to Lucknow tomorrow. Team (CBI) has called us there, but we don't know the reason: Uncle of Unnao Rape Victim.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday insisted that his government had not deviated from its zero-tolerance policy on crime and corruption. “As soon as the matter came to the notice of the government on April 9, we immediately constituted a SIT (Special Investigation Team) and initiated action in the matter…the policemen and doctors found guilty in the SIT report were suspended.” READ HERE
Gujjars today took to streets in Jammu demanding rape and the accused in the case be given death penalty. Protestors also raised slogans against the Bar Association of Jammu and Kashmir High Court (BAJ).
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Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Ms Swati Maliwal started her indefinite hunger strike after offering prayers at Rajghat, demanding the government to take concrete actions to curb sexual crimes against women. Former union minister Yashwant Sinha also reached Rajghat to express his support to the DCW chief.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday spoke on the Kathua rape case and said that the victims family should get justice.
On the instructions of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, party members will hold candlelight march at capitals of all the states against Kathua and Unnao rape cases.
"BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi's insensitive remark is an insult to Indian citizens standing up for their rights. Her statement reflects her party's regressive ideology. She must take back her words and apologize immediately," tweets Congress.
The guilty should be publicly hanged or shot dead, there should be no leniency with rapists. Even if the guilty is found to be a BJP member, he should be executed publicly, says RP Sharma, BJP Assam MP on Unnao rape case, reports ANI.
Supreme Court issues notice to Bar Council of India, Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua Bar Association on a plea against lawyers allegedly blocking filing of chargesheet in the Kathua Case. Meanwhile, Allahabad High Court has asked for a progress report by May 2 in the Unnao rape case and will monitor the probe. Court also said the MLA should be arrested and not just detained.
Assam BJP MP RP Sharma said, "The guilty should be publicly hanged or shot dead. There should be no leniency with rapists. Even if the guilty is found to be a BJP member, he should be executed publicly."
"Rahul Gandhi earlier stood in support of Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. It's just his compulsion to take a stand this time but Amethi knows the truth. I have faith that justice will be provided, said Smriti Irani on Congress' candlelight march on Unnao and Kathua rape cases, on Thursday.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress said, "Yes he(Jammu Bar Association chief BS Slathia) was my polling agent, and also Lal Singh (BJP J&K minister) was in Congress, they were secular then but BJP has vitiated the atmosphere so badly in J-K that these individuals have now turned communal."
Maneka Gandhi said, "Media wants the investigation to be completed in one or two days. The action is being taken by state govts. Also, we are contemplating an amendment in the law which awards death penalty to rapists of minors below 12 years of age."
"Party has already condemned this act, 2 individuals (BJP J&K ministers) were mislead and misguided by people. Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course," said Lekhi.
Meenakshi Lekhi also said, "You see their plan, first shout 'minority minority', then 'Dalit Dalit', and now 'women women' and then try to somehow fix blame of state issues on the centre. All this while ignoring the strict action being taken by state govts."
BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi said, 'A fair probe was done in Kathua case. SIT was formed and 6-7 people were arrested. Also, I would like to say it on record that the Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia is the polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad ji.'
According to the rules, the CBI re-registers FIRs of the state police while taking over the probe but remains at freedom to come to its own conclusions which are filed before a special court in its final report. The final report can either be a closure report or a charge sheet.
The CBI officials said Sengar, an MLA from Bangarmau, had not been arrested yet. They said a team of officials would visit the scene of the crime and question jail officials, police officials and family members of the MLA.
The first FIR pertains to the alleged rape of the girl in which Sengar and a woman Shashi Singh have been named as accused.
The second one pertains to rioting, in which four locals have been booked, and also the alleged killing of the victim's father in judicial custody. Since the murder charge was added later by the police, it does not reflect in the CBI FIR.
The third case pertains to the allegations against the victim's father who was arrested under arms act and put in jail by the local police where he mysteriously died. He also suffered serious wounds as per the post-mortem report.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi today thanked the "thousands of men and women" who stood with him in protesting the rising acts of violence against girls and women and said their battle for justice would not be in vain.
Protest outside Rajghat led by Delhi Commission for Women against Unnao Case and Kathua Case.
Now going back to the protests, organisations like the All India Progressive Women’s Association, National Federation of Indian Women, JNU Students’ Union and the Students’ Federation of India held a protest at Parliament Street over the gruesome incidents in Kathua and Unnao On Thursday. The protesters alleged that the BJP’s motto of ”Beti bachao, beti padhao” rang hollow in the light of these cases. “Two incidents of rape have shocked the nation not just for the horrific nature of the crime but also for the ruling party trying to shield the accused, with its ministers even going on to support bandhs and rallies against arresting of the rape accused,” All India Students’ Association state secretary Niraj Kumar said.
The rape and killing of the girl, who belonged to the nomadic Bakerwal Muslim community, has become a national issue. The gory details of the heinous crime surfaced following the filing of charges. The girl had disappeared from a spot near her house close to Rasana village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua on January 10. A week later, her body was found in the same area. A Special Investigation Team, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destroying evidence.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence over the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district of the state. Taking to twitter he said, "Hon PM sir, there isn’t a day when we don’t hear you speak about things that are important to you yet there are times when you are completely silent about things that are important to others. Please don’t let the minor girl be someone you choose to remain silent about."
Dinesh submitted that the apex court should take note of bar's actions and issue directions to them and the Bar Council of India to ensure that the rule of law prevails. The bench assured the lawyer that it would consider the matter if adequate material is brought before it.
The Supreme Court today asked a lawyer to bring materials on record to take judicial note of a strike call given by Kathua and Jammu and Kashmir bar associations in relation to the gangrape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu region. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked lawyer P V Dinesh to furnish some material with regard to the actions of the bar bodies for enabling it to take suo motu judicial note of the strike call.
Dinesh referred to the decisions of the local bar that had allegedly come in support of the people who had allegedly gangraped and killed the minor in Kathua. "Something must come on record. We have nothing on record," the bench, also comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said and asked the lawyer to file some material in support of his contention.
Actor-politician Kamal Hassan has also expressed anguish over the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, saying he felt 'angry' for failing her. Hassan, founder-president of Makkal Needhi Mayyam, said he felt 'angry' as a man, father and as a citizen for 'failing' the minor girl.
Haasan tweeted: "Does it have to be your own daughter for you to understand? She could've been mine." "I am sorry my child, We didn't make this country safe enough for you. I'll fight for justice at least for future kids like you. We mourn you and won't forget you," he added.
"I miss my daughter everyday. Those responsible for killing my daughter should be hanged till death," says the father of Kathua rape and murder victim.
Making a statement in the Unnao rape case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, 'Investigation has been handed over to the CBI. I believe the CBI would have arrested the MLA also. Our government will not compromise on this, no matter how influential the accused is, he will not be spared.' (ANI photo)
Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were also present along with their daughter. At times, the chaotic crowd appeared getting out of control and Priyanka was shoved by some, prompting her to ask people to maintain calm and remember the “cause” for which they had come there.The Congress workers raised slogans against the Centre, while some were seen holding placards against the BJP governments at Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Gandhi said the women of the country were afraid to venture out today and asked the PM to come out of slumber. Many were shouting slogans like “Modi Bhagao, Beti Bachao” as they held candles as a mark of protest.
On Thursday midnight, Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Ashok Gehlot, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Sushmita Dev, joined Gandhi and walked from the party headquarters to India Gate along with hundreds of party workers holding candles, recalling similar protests that had been held after the brutal gang-rape of 23-year-old paramedical student Nirbhaya in 2012. Several students, people from civil society groups, professionals and mediapersons, too, joined the march.
In Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, an eight-year-old girl belonging to the Bakherwal tribe was allegedly gangraped after the accused had held her in captivity in the village temple for a week in January.
In UP’s Unnao district, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and her father was beaten by the politician’s brother before he died in police custody.
Police inaction and the silence or delayed response of political leaders, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath, has intensified the anger further.
Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the increasing cases of sexual violence against women, and said she would go on an indefinite hunger strike at the Raj Ghat from Friday to protest against the Unnao and Kathua rape incidents.
Nearly 20 city-based organisations would hold protests against rape incidents at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Friday. People from all walks of life — politicians, sportspersons and actors — have spoken out and demanded strict action against the culprits.
On Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had tweeted about the case advocating a punishment so severe ‘that we can make an example of them for generations.’
Reacting to Kathua incident, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on Friday said: “I am deeply disturbed by the rape case in Kathua and all the recent rape cases that have happened on children. I and the ministry intend to bring an amendment to the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act asking for the death penalty for rape on children below 12 years”. She said this in a television interview on Friday.
Latest: The Supreme Court has sought material on record to take judicial note of strike call of J&K and Kathua bar bodies in view of minor's gangrape.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also protested against the Kathua and Unnao rape incidents. Heled a midnight candlelight march on Thursday against the incidents as a number of student and women organisations protested in Delhi over the silence maintained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the horrific crimes. Similar demonstrations were also held in Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh, though much smaller in scale.
Commenting on the Kathua rape, J-K DGP SP Vaid said, 'It is a very heinous crime, it can't get worse than this. The SIT has done a very professional job and filed charge sheet, now we hope justice will be done.'
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed all its ministers, legislators and senior leaders to be present for a special meeting tomorrow in Srinagar at 11 am.
Reacting to both the incidents, Union Information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani said, 'Law agencies and government are taking necessary action. As a woman, I believe and request there should be no victim shaming.'
Reacting to the Kathua incident, Congress leader Ambika Soni said, "What happened in Kathua is a shame on our society. We cannot have been so depraved and gone to become so inhuman to do such a thing. It's taking so long to nab the culprits when everybody knows who they are and still you are not able to ply the processes of the law."
The most strident voice among them all has been that of the Hindu Ekta Manch, an outfit formed to “demand justice” for the accused and whose members cut across party lines. From a BJP state secretary to a Youth Congress leader, from an “election agent” of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to Panthers Party leaders.
Meanwhile, behind the shrill show of support for the accused, the campaign against J&K Police’s Crime Branch, and demands for the case to be handed over to the CBI, the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl has cleaved open several faultlines in the state. Hindu versus Muslim. Hindu-majority Jammu-Kathua-Samba-Udhampur versus Muslim-majority Kashmir valley-Chenab valley-Pir Panjal.
A purported video of the girl's father before his death has gone viral and was also aired by several TV news channels.In the video, he alleged that he was mercilessly beaten up, including with rifle butts, by the MLAs brother and others in the presence of police.
The case came into limelight after the victim tried to immolate herself on Sunday outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence, alleging police inaction against Sengar.The victim's father died in judicial custody almost a week after he was reportedly thrashed by the MLA's brother and others.
Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a four-term MLA, enjoys immense clout cutting across party lines in the rural areas around Unnao district, a semi-urban area about 70 km from Lucknow.
The CBI registered three separate cases in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in Unnao district. The Centre too acted with alacrity referring the matter to the CBI last night. The agency sleuths swooped down at the residence of Sengar in Lucknow in the early hours today and took him for questioning at its office in Lucknow, the officials said.