Facing scathing criticism on deteriorating law and order, the Uttar Pradesh government reacted promptly to the death of Hathras rape victim at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Tuesday, by announcing a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim’s family and promised to prosecute the accused in a fast track court for prompt conviction.

Hathras district authorities claimed that all four accused in the gruesome gang-rape of a 18-year-old Dalit girl were arrested. 

On Tuesday, District Magistrate Praveen said that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh was given  under different clauses of the SC/ST Act. He, however, denied reports of the victim’s tongue being chopped off and explained that her tongue was slashed when the accused tried to strangle her to death. 

On the other hand, IG Aligarh Piyush Mordia said that on September 14, the victim’s brother had filed a complaint that a man threatened to murder his sister after which she was hospitalised. 

“In her statement, the victim said that the man also harassed her but levelled no other charges. 

But on September 22, the victim named three other persons and charged them of rape. While the medical examination did not confirm rape, samples were sent to forensics lab and the reports were awaited,” the IG said. 

Mordia said that all four accused — Sandip, Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi — were arrested and assured that case would be tried in a fast track court for ensuing quick justice to the deceased. The police have now added IPC sections pertaining to Dalit atrocities and murder against all accused.

Meanwhile, government spokesperson and minister Sidharth Nath Singh said that the incident was very saddening. 

“Our government stands with the victim’s family. Investigation started immediately and four accused were arrested. Strict action will be taken,” Singh told reporters in Lucknow while confirming that the government was extending all help to the family. .

The victim had been battling for her life at the Delhi hospital after being gang-raped by four men and succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday. Her death came two weeks after she was gang-raped in Hathras on September 14. She was shifted to the Delhi hospital in a critical condition and was in Intensive Care. 

Earlier, the victim was admitted to Aligarh’s JN Medical College hospital. The victim’s family accused the Hathras police of negligence after which station house officer (SHO) of Chandpa police station (Hathras) DK Verma was removed.