HC ORDERS CBI PROBE INTO BULANDSHAHR GANG RAPE

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Friday ordered a CBI probe into the Bulandshahr gang rape because it was “not satisfied” with the investigation undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh police.

The court passed the order after examining a status report filed by the government in connection with the case, where a woman and her minor daughter were sexually assaulted by a group of men late last month.

“We are not satisfied... neither with the way the investigation appears to be taking place nor with the material that has been placed on record,” it said.

The bench, comprising chief justice DB Bhosale and justice Yashwant Varma, then directed the state government to produce the FIR lodged in connection with the crime, the rape victims’ medical reports, and the witness statements by August 17 — the next date of hearing.

The court also expressed dissatisfaction with information on the accused’s social background, criminal records and political affiliations — if any — that had been provided in the status report as per its earlier order, dated August 8.

The incident had occurred on July 29, when six members of a Noida-based family were travelling by car to Shahjahanpur in western UP. The accused allegedly waylaid the vehicle at the national highway, and dragged the woman and her 13-year-old daughter to a field nearby. They were reportedly raped for three hours.

Expressing anguish over the incident, the court enquired about the steps being taken by the state government to prevent such incidents in the future. It pointed out that the state was duty-bound to ensure the security of those who travel on its highways after paying the toll fees.