Even before the CBI could take up the Badaun gang-rape-cum-murder case, the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday claimed that two of the five men arrested in the case have confessed to their crime.
“Two of the accused, who have been arrested in connection with this incident, have confessed to their crime during interrogation,” Superintendent of Police Atul Saxena said, but refused to identify the two.
However, the rage against the Samajwadi Party Government has refused to ebb. BSP chief Mayawati joined the politicians who made a beeline to Katra village, where the two Dalit cousin sisters lived. She stepped up attack on the Akhilesh Yadav Government calling it “jungle raj”. She alleged that the Government was trying to hush up the case.
The three brothers — Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Yadav and Urvesh Yadav — were arrested and booked under IPC Sections 302 (murder) and 376 (rape). Constables Sarvesh Yadav and Chhatrapal Yadav were also arrested and booked under IPC Section 120B (criminal conspiracy). The FIR was registered against seven people, including two unnamed men who are still at large.
The UP Police asserted it was in the process of collecting “concrete” evidence to nail the accused in the court. “In most of the cases the accused change their version before the court. But instead of depending upon their confession, we will support the case with concrete evidence,” the SP said.
Besides Mayawati, local MP of the Samajwadi Party Dharmendra Yadav too reached Katra village where he faced the anger of the inconsolable parents who have alleged that the police did not take prompt action in the case because of their low caste. On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had met the victims’ families.
The BSP chief, who had earlier demanded a CBI probe into the incident said that her visit was aimed at highlighting the plights of Dalits under the Akhilesh Government.
“The family members told me that the local MP came this morning and offered compensation and all help, but they refused. They told that whatever I will give them, they will accept,” she said after meeting the family members. “The BSP has decided to give Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of victims,” she added.
Mayawati said that she generally did not visit the family members of such victims because “this gives the ruling party an opportunity levelling false allegations. But when I came to know that there was an attempt to protect the criminals, I decided to visit this place,” she said. She threatened that if “atrocities” were committed on the people here in the future, she would stage a protest.
When asked about the Government’s decision to transfer officials, she said that suspensions and transfers were not the remedy. “The Government should take action against the Samajwadi Party goons and leaders. The way Samajwadi party leaders have shielded rapists and leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav have given statements in their favour, it has emboldened the criminals,” Mayawati added.