Hathras case: NCW writes to UP DGP, seeks explanation over victim's body cremation by cops

 National Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice to Uttar Presh police chief over cremation of body of Hathras gangrape victim by cops allegedly without consent of deceased's family in wee hours of Wednesday.

 19-year-old Dalit woman was gang-raped on September 14 at her village in Hathras district and succumbed to grievous injuries in a Delhi hospital on Tuesday.

In a press statement, NCW said it is "shocked" by brutal assault on woman and her subsequent death due to injuries and observed that incident underlines "grim state of women in society".

Amid nationwide uproar over late-night cremation of body by police and local officials, NCW wrote to UP Director-General of Police (DGP) Hitesh Awasthy seeking an explanation on urgency to cremate body of victim in absence of her family. Commission has asked authorities to send a reply "at earliest".

RE | Hathras Rape Case: NHRC Issues Notice To UP Govt; Makes Scathing Observation On Police

RE | Hathras Victim's Autopsy Report Cites Trauma To Neck As Cause Of Death; Rape Not Mentioned

NHRC issues notice

On Wednesday, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Uttar Presh Chief Secretary and DGP over incident and directed state government to provide equate protection to family of deceased as part of witness protection while expressing concern re may be a danger to m from or communities.

In a scathing observation, Commission said it has gone through "very painful" media reports about incident and said it is apparent that UP police was not able to take timely action to trace and save victim girl due to which young woman could not be saved from being subjected to grave cruelty. " way perpetrators have acted shows that y h no fear of law in ir mind."

Moreover, Commission also pointed out allegations me by family that police forcibly took away body of deceased for cremation in wee hours of Wednesday which it said raises many questions about law and order situation in UP.

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Autopsy report cites trauma to neck as cause of death

As per victim's autopsy report released earlier in day, cause of death of victim is stated as trauma due to a neck injury, however, re was no mention of rape in report. All four accused involved in incident have been arrested. As news of 19-year-old's death spre, protests broke out in Delhi as well as in Hathras with all sections of society, including politicians, sports and cine stars and activists, expressing ir anguish and demanding justice for her.

Also, UP Police is facing criticism after victim's family alleged that last rites of victim were conducted without consent of family. However, in clarification, Uttar Presh G Prashant Kumar stated that funeral was conducted with consent of family.