Yogi recommends CBI probe into Hathras case
We are determined to ensure the harshest punishment, UP CM tweets
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced that he is recommending a CBI probe into the Hathras case, amid a growing political storm over the death of the 19-year-old Dalit victim who was assaulted and allegedly gang-raped.
He also said that his government was “determined to ensure the harshest punishment” for those guilty in the entire incident. The development came within hours of Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi and Director General of Police H C Awasthy meeting the victim’s family at her home in Hathras on the direction of the Chief Minister.
“For an intensive investigation into the unfortunate incident of Hathras and all points linked to it, the UP government is recommending a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). We are determined to ensure the harshest punishment for all those responsible for this incident,” Adityanath tweeted in Hindi. A Special Investigation Team, formed on the direction of the chief minister, has been probing the case.
The Chief Minister’s office also tweeted that Adityanath has recommended a CBI probe into the episode. Reacting to the announcement, the family members of the victim said that they want a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry. The ruling BJP, which is under pressure over its apparent inability to prevent horrific crimes against women - at least two more assaults and rapes have been reported from the state since the Hathras case - had earlier dismissed protests by the opposition as a “political stunt”