In a startling twist to the alleged gang rape and murder of two cousin sisters in a village of Budaun district in west UP in May this year, the CBI has concluded that the two were neither raped nor murdered but had committed suicide. The CBI’s closure report likely to be filed on Friday would mean freedom for the five accused sent to jail for the alleged crime. At the same time, it could spell trouble for the girls’ family who are now most likely to face a tough CBI probe and even charges of abetment to suicide.
What is the Budaun sisters’ story?
The two Dalit girls, cousins aged 12 and 14, were found hanging from a tree outside the Katra Sahadatganj village of Budaun district on May 28 morning. The media had immediately reported the case as one of gang rape and murder. Interestingly, the autopsy report had also said that the girls were indeed raped and strangled to death before being hung on the tree.
How embarrassing was the incident for the Akhilesh Yadav regime?
The incident sparked a national outrage. Political parties and women’s outfits, including the NCW, slammed the SP government, terming the incident “horrendous”, “barbaric” and “gruesome”. Mayawati and Rahul Gandhi visited the family, too.
What was the role of the UP Police in the case?
The Akhilesh regime invited more caustic criticism as the local police showed complete laxity in arresting the accused, allegedly because four of the five of them were Yadavs, a clan to which the ruling family in UP also belongs. UP DGP AL Banerjee concluded in rather unseemly haste that the incident was one of “honour killing”, virtually accusing the girls’ families.
What has been the role of the CBI?
The state government referred the case to the CBI after a big hue and cry at the national level, bowing to the demand of the girls’ families. In the preliminary stage itself, the CBI is learnt to have concluded that there had been no rape or murder, and thus followed that line of investigation. They grilled the girls’ families under duress leading to the next of kin sitting on a dharna against the CBI.
What is the CBI’s stand now?
"Based on around 40 scientific reports, CBI has concluded that the two minor girls in the Budaun case had not been raped and murdered as had been alleged in the FIR…"Based on around 40 scientific reports, CBI has concluded that the two minor girls in the Badaun case had not been raped and murdered as had been alleged in the FIR…our investigation has concluded that it is a case of suicide," CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.
How have the girls’ families reacted?
On hearing about the CBI statement, the girls’ family members have reacted angrily, saying they would move the Supreme Court and petition PM Narendra Modi for justice. "Our girls cannot commit suicide. The CBI inquiry is a sham. If justice is not done, we will commit suicide," the father of one of the girls said.
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