CBI likely to question former SP, SDM in Hathras gang rape-murder case

The police had initially lodged an FIR of attempt to murder that was later altered to include gang rape and murder charges

of a 19-year-old woman by four upper caste men in Hathras, senior officers privy to the investigation said on Friday.

Vir was the Hathras SP when the incident took place. The state government later suspended him on October 1 for his alleged negligence in handling the case after a public outcry over cremation of the woman’s body in the early hours of September 30. He is under suspension since then.

A senior CBI official requesting anonymity said the premier investigating agency may question Vir about the probe and the action taken in the case during the initial stage after the woman was assaulted on September 14.

He said the former SP would also be questioned about the allegation of forcibly cremating the body and the other accusation of favouring the accused in the initial stage.

The police had initially lodged an FIR of attempt to murder that was later altered to include gang rape and murder charges.

He said an IAS officer PP Meena, who was posted as subdivisional magistrate (SDM) in Hathras, would be questioned about the happenings and allegations of enforcing restrictions on the victim’s family and media.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the case for one month now. It has inspected the spot where the woman was allegedly gang raped and attacked.

The probe agency has recorded the statements of the victim’s brother, her mother and aunt, as well as six local police personnel, in the matter. The four accused, who are lodged in jail, and their family members were also questioned.

Senior officials said the Central Bureau of Investigation probe focused on five points. The points include establishing and collecting evidence, finding out whether any evidence was tampered with, identifying the real accused and probing allegations of negligence against the local police, they said.