Opposition parties targeted Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi police over the murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl following an alleged rape. They criticized the law and order situation in the national capital.
The Delhi Commission for Women began inquiry into the incident and called the police after the girl’s parents alleged that she was raped and her body was forcibly cremated by the crematorium priest and three others who has falsely claimed that she was electrocuted.
The DCW have said that it has instituted an inquiry into the matter. Stating that the case is “very serious” and merits “urgent attention”, the panel has called the DC of Southwest Delhi to be present before it on August 5 and produce the complete case file of the matter along with a copy of FIR.
“What was my daughter’s fault? How will I live without her?” the girl’s mother wailed as hundreds of locals, staged a protest for the second day near the site of the incident in the Southwest Delhi’s Old Nangal area, demanding capital punishment for the accused.
“My daughter went to get cold water from crematorium when the incident happened. The priest showed me her body for a very brief time. My daughter’s lips were blue. The priest cremated my child without our consent,” the girl’s mother alleged.
On Monday, Police said that based on the victim’s mother statement, rape charges have been added in the FIR. Four people, including the priest, have been arrested.
“The fire was doused by our community members who reached the spot and pulled the legs of my daughter,” the girls mother said, adding, “We need justice for her and the accused should get strict punishment.”
Only the burnt legs of the girl were recovered from the crematorium ground.
The Delhi Police on Tuesday said that strict legal action has been taken under IPC, SC/ST Act and POCSO Act.
Many opposition leaders criticized Shah, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said that there was a need to improve law and order situation in Delhi, adding that he will meet the victim’s family on Wednesday.
“The murder of a nine-year-old innocent in Delhi after subjecting her to brutality is very shameful. There is a need to improve the law and order situation in Delhi. The culprits should be given capital punishment at the earliest,” the chief minister tweeted.
Referring to Shah’s visit to UP earlier this week during which he praised the Yogi Adityanath government for taking the state to the “top spot” in law and order, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that he went to UP to “distribute certificates” but he was “unable to handle his own responsibility”.
Gandhi alleged that from Hathras to Nangal, there is “jungle raj”.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police comes under the Union Home Ministry.
Tagging a media report on the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “A Dalit”s daughter is also the daughter of the country.”
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also criticized Shah, alleging that the law and order situation in this country is in chaos. He also targeted Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana.
“Recently appointed Delhi CP Rakesh Asthana who is also a close aide of Mr @AmitShah – already failing his duties? Or does his appointment mean taking care of other businesses?” he added.
Bhim Army chief and Dalit leader Chandra Shekhar Azad also joined the protests and said that the case should be properly investigated.
A senior police official said that there were burn marks between her left wrist and elbow, and her lips were also blue.
