Hathras, Oct 13,2020: The Hathras victim’s family on Tuesday refused to immerse the girl’s ashes unless it gets justice.
The family returned late on Monday after recording their statement before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High court.
Speaking to the media, the victim’s father said, “We narrated our ordeal to the court. However, there was a conversation in English and we couldn’t understand much but we could make out that the Court was not happy with the Hathras district administration. We seek justice now, we will not be immersing the ashes until we get justice.”
The victim’s brother, who had also gone to Lucknow to record his statement in the court upon his return from the National Capital said, “There were questions related to the cremation of our sister. The court also asked if the cremation was done as per our wishes. The hearing lasted about an hour and most of the conversation was in English, but the court was definitely not happy with the DM.”
Meanwhile SSM Anjali Gangwar, who accompanied the family from Hathras to Lucknow and back, said, “All the necessary arrangements for the family members were taken care of, biscuits, chips, water bottles and other essentials were kept in all the vehicles and he family was also made to have lunch at Uttarakhand Bhawan in Lucknow. Ample security and comfort arrangements for the family members of the victim were made.”
On the other hand, Hathras District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Lakshkar also appeared before the Lucknow bench and explained that the gang-rape victim was cremated at midnight to “avoid violence and maintain law and order” in the district.
He further stated that there was strong evidence of the involvement of organisations like the PFI and some journalists in provoking the family.
“There was a huge gathering of anti-social elements outside the village who were bent on violence. Also, the condition of the body was deteriorating. Taking in view the above circumstances and after consulting other senior administrative and police officials, I, in the capacity of the district magistrate of Hathras, took the decision of performing the last rites of the victim in the night. The family of the victim was taken into confidence while performing the last rites under administrative supervision,” the DM said.
Confirming the conspiracy theory of instigating violence in the Hathras incident, DM further pleaded, “It also came to light that a website ‘Justice for Hathras’, through its instigating and inflammatory content was also trying to disturb the law and order in Hathras and adjoining areas.”
