UP govt urges Supreme Court to direct CBI probe in Hathras case

The UP government on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to direct a CBI probe into the alleged gang-rape and death of a Dalit woman in Hathras, saying it will ensure that no vested interests is able to create a fake and false narrative with 'oblique motives'.

In an affidavit filed in response to a PIL, which has been listed for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, the state government said it is important that the investigation is carried out by an independent central agency.

The state government said investigation by the central agency would obviate hindrance being created by certain vested interests in the fair and impartial investigation.

A CBI probe will ensure that no vested interests will be able to create a fake and false narrative with oblique motives, the UP government said.

17-yr-old Dalit girl raped in UP's Pratapgarh

A Dalit girl was allegedly raped by a man in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh following which the accused was arrested, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Sunday when the 17-year-old girl was sleeping in her house and the accused, identified as Chandrakesh verma, entered her room through the terrace and raped her, they said.

According to police, the girl was alone in the house at the time of the incident.

An FIR was registered under relevant sections of the IPC on the basis of a complaint lodged by the girl's mother on Monday and Verma was arrested, they said.

UP govt accepts Hathras family plea

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed round-the-clock security outside the house of the Hathras victim, accepting her family's demands.

As per Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Jaiswal, two women sub-inspectors (SIs) and six women constables have been stationed there. "Two security personnel have been deployed for the security of the victim's brother. Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel are also camping outside the house."

Apart from them, 15 police personnel, three station house officers (SHOs) and one deputy superintendent of police (DySP)-rank officer have been deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

Uttar Pradesh cops arrest 4 in Mathura with PFI links

Uttar Pradesh police said they have arrested four people suspected to have links with the Popular Front of India, an alleged radical group, and its affiliate in Mathura when they were on their way to Hathras district.

The PFI has been accused of funding protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act across the country earlier this year and the UP police had sought a ban on the outfit.

Police said the four men with PFI links were taken into custody at Math toll plaza in Mathura Monday after a tip that suspicious people were heading to Hathras from Delhi.

The four were in a car and identified themselves as Atiq-ur Rehman from Muzaffarnagar, Siddique from Malappuram, Masood Ahmed from Bahraich and Alam from Rampur, they said. Their mobile phones, laptop computer and some literature, which could have an impact on peace and order, were seized, officials said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath referred to “recent incidents” and said “anarchist elements” are trying to trigger communal and caste violence in the state.

Government sources stated that the security agencies uncovered a website which was doling out information on how to protest safely and avoid the clutches of the police, all the while urging more people to join. The dos and don'ts also included steps on how to stay safe during riots and in situations when tear gas shelling and arrests occur.

A case in connection with the same, under several relevant sections of the IPC, the IT Act, and others has been lodged by the police on October 3.

Mayawati to Yogi Adityanath: Focus on ensuring justice to victim's family

BSP chief Mayawati advised the UP government on Tuesday to seriously concentrate on ensuring justice to the family of the Dalit woman allegedly gang raped and killed in Hathras or it will become difficult to prevent heinous incidents.

She stopped just short of calling the Yogi Adityanath government's claim of some people trying to incite caste conflict in the aftermath of the incident an 'electoral trick'. However, she added, the government can 'still rectify its mistake' and provide justice to the victim's family.

“Time will tell whether UP government's charge against the Opposition that it was conspiring to incite caste and communal riots to impact development under the guise of Hathras case is right or electoral trick. But the public opinion demands that it is better if the government concentrates on bringing justice to the family of the victim,” Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi.