"I tell women again and again that they should never go out at odd hours under anyone's influence," said the NCW member after meeting the woman's family members. The video of her insensitive statement went viral on social media with several criticising NCW for such remark.
"I think if she had not gone out in the evening or was accompanied by any child of the family perhaps this incident could have been avoided. But this was pre-planned as she was called through a phone call. She went (out) and then returned in such a state," she told reporters at the victim's village in the district.
On Sunday, the 50-year-old anganwadi worker who had gone to a temple was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her family members have accused the temple priest and his aides of raping and murdering her.
After the incident came to light, a case was registered against the accused and two of them were arrested on Tuesday night, while the priest is still absconding. However, Devi also mentioned that she is not satisfied with the role of police in the case so far.
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"I am not satisfied with the role of the police. Had timely action been taken, perhaps the life of the victim could have been saved," said Devi, who arrived in the village on Wednesday night.
Devi, as part of the team from the NCW, on Thursday met the victim's family members as well as officials and took stock of the action taken in this connection.
The NCW member said the incident is "most heinous and strict action should be taken. The government is very serious on these matters and yet such incidents take place". She said the woman was earning the livelihood of her family.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered "strongest possible action" in the case even as opposition parties attacked his government, terming the incident "horrific" and "shameful", with the Congress comparing it to the Nirbhaya incident of 2012.