Hathras Gangrape & Murder: Massive protests erupted in several parts of the country with people outraged over the horrific killing and forced cremation of a 19-year-old Dalit girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras. As, several political parties and activist groups took to streets, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to the father of the victim and assured him strict action against the accused. He also constituted a three-member SIT to probe the case and asked that the trial be conducted in a fast track court. The SIT has been asked to submit its report in seven days.


Also Read: Shocking! After Hathras Gangrape Tragedy, 2:30 AM 'Forceful' Cremation By UP Police; Yogi Sets Up SIT Probe

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said strict action should be taken against the culprits.

Sonia Gandhi tears into UP govt:

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi in a video statement on the Hathras gangrape, questioned: ""Is it a crime to be a daughter of a poor family?". She alleged that the issue was sought to be hushed up while referring to the victim as "Hathras' Nirbhaya". "I want to say that Hathras' Nirbhaya did not die. She was killed by an oppressive government, by its administration, by the indifference of the Uttar Pradesh government," alleged Sonia Gandhi in a strongly-worded statement.

Know the tale of  UP horror:

The victim was allegedly sexually assaulted by some men on September 14. She was referred on Monday to the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi with spinal injuries, paralysis and cuts in her tongue, and succumbed to the injuries the very next day. What became the centre of criticism for Uttar Pradesh administration was the manner is which she was cremated in the dead of the night on Wednesday with family members alleging they were forced by police to hurriedly conduct the last rites.

She was the youngest of five siblings and her father sells milk for a living.

The family of the victim said that they left Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Tuesday night amid heavy police deployment and reached their village in Hathras, about 180 km from the national capital. They said the body of the woman arrived in an ambulance after midnight in the village. The vehicle was parked on a road near the house and not taken to the family's home but straight to the crematorium, they alleged.

The men alleged to be involved in the crime are under arrest and will now face charges under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, according to Hathras Superintendent of Police Vikrant Vir.

However, Hathras Joint Magistrate Prem Prakash Meena said the final rites were carried out according to procedures and with permission and support of the family in order to maintain law and order.

Massive protests erupt across country

Scores of Left and Congress leaders were detained when they staged protests against the Yogi Adityanath government near the UP Bhawan and India Gate in Delhi, opposition leaders questioned the circumstances and the timing of the cremation. Women's rights activists added their voice to the chorus of condemnation and said the teen was robbed of dignity even in death.

In Lucknow, thirteen Youth Congress leaders, who participated in protests were sent to jail. Protests were also held in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Shimla, Noida and Ghaziabad.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dubbed the "forcible cremation" of the Hathras gang-rape victim by police as a "shameful" move of the Uttar Pradesh government.

The National Commission for Women said it will seek an explanation from the UP Police.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde to urge the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the gruesome act.