Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have now been taken to preventive custody after a clash with Uttar Pradesh Police at the Delhi-Noida Yamuna Expressway. Rahul Gandhi along with his sister were enroute to Hathras to meet rape victim's family when they were stopped by Police citing imposition of Section 144 in the city.
As per reports, Police manhandled Rahul Gandhi while discussion and later while being pushed the Congress leader felt on ground.
A chaotic situation was witnessed at Delhi-Noida Yamuna Expressway when Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders were crossing the border to meet the victim's family. Police reportedly stopped the leaders citing prohibitory orders by district administration. As per reports, Rahul and Priyanka came out of their cars and started marching towards Hathrus.
Party sources said the permission for the visit has been sought from the Uttar Pradesh government, and they will leave for Hathras on Thursday. Many leaders of the Congress are going to accompany them.
As per reports, the district Police have sealed the border citing law and order issue and media has been stopped around 1.5 km from the village in Hathras as the SIT is carrying out the probe.
"Borders of Hathras are sealed. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the district, more than 5 people are not allowed to gather. We've no information about Priyanka Gandhi's visit. SIT will meet the victim's family members today, media will not be allowed," Hathras DM P Lakshar said while speaking to news agency ANI.
Soon after the reports of 'forceful' cremation of victim's mortal remains by UP Police, Congress went all hands on deck to stage a statewide protest and Rahul Gandhi had dubbed UP Police's act as a "shameful" move of the Uttar Pradesh government.
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The mortal remains of a 19-year-old Dalit woman from Hathras, who died in a Delhi hospital after sustaining serious injuries during an alleged gang rape, was cremated early Wednesday in her village amid tight security.
Meanwhile, the UP Chief Minister has decided to send the case to a fast track court in order to ensure justice to the victim. All four accused in the case have been arrested by the Police.
Section 144 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure) has been imposed in the district. It will be in force till October 31.
In a somewhat similar incident, another 22-year-old Dalit woman died after being allegedly raped by two men in UP's Balrampur district.
Balrampur Superintendent of Police Dev Ranjan Verma, quoting the victim's family, said the woman, who worked with a private firm, returned home in a serious condition on Tuesday.
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The girl looked dazed and had an intravascular cannula, medically known as Vigo, and used for administering injection or other fluids in the body, inserted in her hands. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but died on the way.
Back in Delhi, various political parties and activists staged a protest trying to march towards UP Bhawan in the capital against the brutal gangrape in Hathras. At least 150 protesters were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday. Not just on the roads, the cry for justice could be heard on various social media platforms as well where prominent personalities including politicians and celebrities raised their voice against injustice.
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