Promised govt job, family performs last rites of Unnao rape victim

Rs25L, house to kin

• The family will be given a compensation of Rs 25 lakh besides a house under the PM’s housing scheme

• A member of the family will be given a government job

• The case will be fast-tracked and the strictest punishment will be ensured for the guilty

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 8

With moist eyes and loud wails, the village bade farewell to the Unnao rape victim. The family agreed to perform her last rites only after the administration assured a government job for a member of the family.

Earlier, the family was adamant on not performing her last rites till Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited them. The CM has already announced to fast track the case and ensure the strictest punishment for the guilty.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a house to the family under the PM’s housing scheme.

Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Mukesh Meshram spoke to members of the family for over 30 minutes making them agree to perform the last rites on the condition that a government job would be arranged for a family member.

After they agreed, the body was taken outside the village for burial next to her paternal grandparents. Cabinet ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Kamal Rani Varun, IG SK Bhagat and senior district officials were present during the burial.

Maurya said, “The government is with the aggrieved family.” Kamal Rani Varun, said, “The slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, is meaningful. We stand with the aggrieved family in the hour of grief and will ensure that the accused get stringent punishment.”

Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said, “The law and order scenario in the state has deteriorated. Today, girls are not feeling secure and their FIRs are not being registered. The government of Yogi Adityanath must tender resignation.”

Congress leader and former Unnao MP Annu Tandon tweeted: “We said our goodbyes to the daughter who has found eternal peace and ensured eternal security…And the fight for justice continues…”

Speaking to reporters outside the residence of the victim, she said, “People want that her death should not go in vain, and she should get justice.” Tandon also gave a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the aggrieved family. (with PTI inputs)