IndiaToday.in  Badaun (UP), May 31, 2014 | UPDATED 19:03 IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday agreed to order a CBI probe into the horrific Badaun gangrape case after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met the family members of two dalit sisters, who were allegedly gangraped and murdered with their bodies found hanging from a tree in Katra village in Badaun (Uttar Pradesh).

Badaun: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi interacts with the family members of two sisters who were gang raped and hanged from a tree at Katra Shahadatganj village. PTI Photo

“The Uttar Pradesh government is ready to recommend a CBI probe. Will soon send a request to the Centre,” said a statement issued by Akhilesh Yadav.

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met the family of the two dalit sisters who were gangraped and murdered in Badaun and demanded a CBI probe into the case, saying Uttar Pradesh police cannot give them justice and the culprits should know that they cannot get away with such a heinous crime.

Badaun: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the site of crime at Katra Shahadatganj village where two sisters were gang raped and hanged from a tree. PTI Photo

“They have said that the honour of their daughters cannot be brought back with money. They said they want justice and they have no faith in the UP police as their people are involved. They said that the UP police cannot get them justice. I agree with them, there can be no price for a woman’s honour.

“I am also in agreement with them on what they have said about the CBI inquiry. CBI inquiry should happen,” Rahul said.

He, however, refrained from attacking the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh which has faced a lot of flak over the sensational crime amid allegations that the local police was hand in glove with the accused.

“Whosoever have committed this crime should know that they cannot do such things in India,” Rahul said

The Congress Vice President visited the home of the dalit girls and during the interaction, their family members complained that the police did not act when they approached the local police chowki.

Badaun: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi interacts with village women during his visit to the Katra Shahadatganj village where two sisters were gang raped and hanged from a tree. PTI Photo

“Had the police acted in time, our daughters would have been alive,” father of one of the victims told Rahul.

The Congress leader also walked to the spot where the victims had been found hanging from a tree.

“We want justice and not compensation. The manner in which the entire world saw our innocent girls hanging, we want that in the same manner it should watch the culprits being hanged. They should be hanged publicly,” said the father.

He said that the incident was “more gruesome” than December 16 gangrape case and demanded a CBI probe adding that there should be nothing less than capital punishment for the culprits.

Rahul was accompanied by AICC general secretary in-charge of UP Madhusudan Mistry, state PCC chief Nirmal Khatri and chairman of AICC Scheduled Castes department K Raju.

He assured the family of all possible help, Congress leaders said.

The two victims, who were cousins and aged 14 and 15, went missing from their house on the night of May 27. Their bodies were found hanging from a mango tree in the village in Ushait area the next morning.

This is Gandhi’s first visit outside his Parliamentary constituency Amethi in UP after the party’s debacle in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

The gangrape-murder incident had triggered protests in the area with villagers alleging police apathy, following which an FIR was registered against seven persons.

The incident also led to a nationwide furore. Home Minister Rajnath Singh was yesterday briefed by officials on the incident.

All the five main accused, including two policemen, have been arrested, police said today.

Badaun is 300 km from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.

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Mumbai: As the row over Article 370 of the Constitution continues, NDA ally Shiv Sena’s president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said there was no need for anymore debate on it, as people now wanted a solution.
“There is no need for a debate… Whatever needs to be done should be done,” Uddhav said, talking to reporters here this evening. He also favoured implementation of the uniform civil code in the country.

“There have been enough debates on Article 370 and uniform civil code. Now people want a solution,” Uddhav said.

To a question whether he would be the Chief Minister after the Assembly polls that are due later this year in Maharashtra, Uddhav said, “It is the wish of my party workers. They want to see me in that post, but all these things will come later (after the polls).”

On his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after which Sena MP Anant Geete took charge of heavy industries ministry (after initial resentment on Shiv Sena’s part), he said, “The discussion was fruitful. Our objective was not to get a particular portfolio but to ensure Maharashtra’s development.”

The Sena leader also expressed satisfaction over the pace of work set by the Prime Minister.

PTI

First Published: Friday, May 30, 2014, 01:11