HC TO MONITOR HATHRAS PROBE

SC also directs CRPF to provide security to victim's kin, witnesses

The CBI investigation in Hathras case, in which a Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped and died of injuries, will be monitored by the Allahabad High Court and the CRPF would provide security to the victim's family and witnesses in the case, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.

The issue of transferring the trial out of Uttar Pradesh will be considered if the need arises in future, apex court said, observing that all aspects of the matter are left open to be considered by the high court.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde noted in its verdict that Lucknow bench of Al

lahabad High Court has taken note of Hathras incident and passed order directing registration of suo motu petition.

"From the order passed by the

high court it is noticed that the high court has adequately delved into the aspects relating to the case to secure fair investigation and has also secured the presence of the father, mother, brother and sister-in-law of the victim and appropriate orders are being passed, including securing reports from various quarters," said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.

The court delivered the verdict on a batch of pleas which have raised concern regarding the incident and also the hurried cremation of the victim in the middle of the night.

The bench referred to the affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government which gave details of security provided to victim's family members and witnesses. As a confidence-building measure, the directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to provide security to the victim's family and the witnesses.

The top court also requested the high court to remove or mask the identities of the victim’s family members from records.

A 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly raped by four men in Hathras on September 14. She died on September 29 at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital during treatment. The victim was cremated in the dead of the night on September 30, triggering a massive uproar. Her family alleged they were forced by the police to hurriedly conduct her last rites. Local police officers, however, said the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family".