Hathras case: SP among 5 cops suspended after SIT report

Lucknow, October 2

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday suspended the Hathras SP and four other police officers over their handling of the gangrape-murder case even as local authorities made clear that the Dalit victim’s village was off-limits for the media.

“In view of the current situation, no political representatives or media personnel would be allowed entry into the village till the SIT completes its probe,” Hathras ASP Prakash Kumar said. CM Adityanath warned that his government will make an example of those who commit crimes on women. In a tweet in Hindi, he said those who even think of hurting a woman’s self-respect will face “total destruction”.

Hours later, the government announced the suspension of Hathras SP Vikrant Vir, circle officer Ramshabd and three others on the basis of a preliminary report submitted by the SIT looking into the case.

A group of Trinamool Congress MPs was stopped 1.5-km from the victim’s home, a party statement said.

The group alleged that Derek O’Brien fell to the ground after being pushed and Pratima Mandal was manhandled by an official. The Trinamool MPs later filed a police complaint and also held a dharna.

Samajwadi Party workers took out a protest in Lucknow, and were lathicharged by the police.