Unnao horror: Rs 25 lakh relief for victim’s kin

Tribune News Service
Lucknow, December 7

Amid outcry, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today sent two Cabinet ministers to the Unnao village of the 23-year-old rape victim who died at a Delhi hospital late last night after being set on fire by the accused, even as Opposition parties accused the BJP government of failing to provide security to those brutalised by sexual violence.

Angry villagers heckled Cabinet ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Kamal Rani Varun besides BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj as they arrived at the village, where police had been deployed in large numbers. On behalf of the state government, Maurya announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the victim’s family.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Maurya said none of the culprits would be spared and that the government would ensure the victim’s family was satisfied with the investigation. Earlier, the family said they feared for their safety after the death of the “bravest and most educated girl in their family”. 

“I want to see the accused being chased and shot,” said the victim’s father, adding he had little hope of getting justice for his daughter, who died because she was “persistent in following up her case at a Rae Bareli court”. The Opposition alleged law-and-order situation had “completely collapsed” and the state had become the country’s “rape capital” and demanding “removal” of the Adityanath government.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accompanied by UPCC president Ajay Kumar ‘Lallu’, former Unnao MP Annu Tandon and former MP Pramod Tiwari was the first to visit the family. She accused the UP Government of patronising criminals that led to recurrent crimes against women.

A five-member delegation of the Samajwadi Party, led by state president Naresh Uttam, also met the family. In Lucknow, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav sat on a brief dharna outside Lok Bhavan demanding justice for the family.

BSP president Mayawati met Governor Anandiben Patel to apprise her of the dismal law and order situation in the state.

The woman was raped last year allegedly by gram pradhan’s son on the promise of marriage from which he later backtracked. When the police did not file an FIR, she moved court, which ordered filing of a case. 

Two accused were released on bail on November 30. Days later, they along with three others allegedly set the victim on fire while she was on her way to court on December 5. She was later referred to a Delhi hospital with 90 per cent burns.

The family brought back her body to the village after a postmortem examination. (With PTI inputs)

‘Rapists’ roaming free, minor kills self

Lucknow: A gangrape victim committed suicide on Saturday after failing to get the accused arrested. Sources said Sunny Lala, Rinku and their accomplice abducted the girl, a Class VIII student, on November 13 and raped her for three days. They let her go after her father lodged a complaint. On her statement, the police filed a complaint, but the culprits roamed free, coercing the family to withdraw the case. TNS

No place for women

 It appears that there is no place for women in UP. — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Cong General Secy 

This govt should be removed

A govt which is giving sorrow  should be removed. The party will agitate for people. The SP will hold ‘shok sabha’ at all district headquarters. — Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief 

Not the only incident in state

During the past some years, especially since the BJP govt has come to power, women are not safe. This is not the only incident in UP. — Mayawati, BSP supremo