Rahul Gandhi visits Hathras to meet family of 2020 rape victim

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited the family of the Hathras rape victim on Thursday. The 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped on September 14, 2020, by four upper-caste men in the village of Bool Garhi, Hathras. She succumbed to her injuries on September 29, 2020, at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Following her death, the case became a focal point of national outrage, with the family alleging police mishandling of the investigation and subsequent events, including the rushed cremation of the victim in the early hours of October 30, 2020.

Security was heightened in Bool Garhi ahead of Gandhi's visit, with police personnel deployed near the victim's home. Local Congress leader Chandragupta Vikramaditya confirmed that Gandhi was visiting the family to express his solidarity and support. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai also confirmed the visit, emphasizing that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have consistently been in touch with families affected by injustice across the country.

The Hathras case was initially investigated by local police before the CBI took over in October 2020 due to the widespread controversy. The CBI filed a charge sheet against four men, and a Special Court in Hathras began the trial under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In March 2023, the court convicted one of the accused, Sandeep Sisodia, sentencing him to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. However, the court acquitted the other three accused, including Ramu, Lavkush, and Ravi, of charges of rape, murder, and other offenses. The victim's family has expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and filed an appeal in the Allahabad High Court.

The family's grievances also extend beyond the trial outcome. They have continued to demand fulfillment of promises made by the Uttar Pradesh government, including relocation to a safer area outside Hathras, preferably in the National Capital Region (NCR), and employment. These promises, made after the incident, remain unfulfilled. The family’s requests for a safe place to live and jobs have become central to their ongoing struggle for justice.

The case has drawn significant political attention, with the Uttar Pradesh government defending the legal proceedings. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, responding to Rahul Gandhi’s visit, stated that the matter was being handled legally and that the CBI had completed its investigation. He accused Gandhi of attempting to create unrest by visiting places like Hathras and Sambhal. Despite the legal process, the family continues to demand justice and a sense of security.