Hathras gangrape victim forcibly cremated by police at night, alleges family; UP Cops deny

The family of the now-deceased victim of the horrific Hathras gangrape alleged that the police cremated her body in the middle of the night without their consent. According to sources, a major scuffle broke out between villagers and District Magistrate and other senior police officials. The villagers claimed that the family had not been allowed to leave the residence, sources added.

'Police have forcibly taken the dead body'

Local police officers, however, told news agency PTI that the cremation was being carried out as per the wishes of the family. The woman was raped in a village in Hathras by four men on September 14. After her condition deteriorated, she was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital where she breathed her last on Tuesday.

The family left from Safdarjung hospital in Delhi on Tuesday night amid heavy police deployment. The body was taken by the Uttar Pradesh police, which reached Hathras earlier than the family members, claimed kin of the victim.

"The police have forcibly taken the dead body and my father along with them for cremation. When my father reached Hathras, he was immediately taken (to the crematorium) by the police." a brother of the victim told PTI over the phone at 1 AM on Wednesday.

Police deny allegations

Another relative said that the woman's father was accompanied by 30 to 40 people, chiefly relatives and others from their neighbourhood had gone to the crematorium near Bool Garhi village, under Chandpa police station limits, in the district in western UP. Senior police and administration officials were also present at the crematorium in the middle of the night, an official said.

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When contacted, Hathras Superintendent of Police Vikrant Vir told PTI in a text message, "All procedures as per wish of family .."(sic). As news of the 19-year-old's death spread, protests broke out in Delhi as well as in Hathras with all sections of society, including politicians, sports and cine stars and activists, expressing their anguish and demanding justice for her.

The four accused — Sandip, Ramu, Lavkush, and Ravi — have been arrested on charges of attempt to murder and gang rape. As per media reports, the victim belonged to the Scheduled Castes community, while the attackers were from a so-called upper caste. The Hathras district administration on Tuesday said a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs will be provided to the victim's family. "The state government has already provided compensation of Rs 4.12 lakhs to the family," the district magistrate tweeted.

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(with PTI inputs) (Photo credit: ANI)