Akhilesh wants CBI to probe Badaun rape-murder

Two cousins, aged 14 and 15, went missing last Tuesday and were allegedly gang-raped and murdered. The next day, their bodies were found hanging from a tree. 5 main accused held, 2 absconding

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday sought a CBI probe into the gang rape and murder of two teenaged sisters in Badaun and the police arrested two more accused in the case.

“The chief minister has decided to recommend a CBI probe, as demanded by the victims’ family members,” an official release said, following a meeting where home department officers apprised Akhilesh of the demand.

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The cousins, aged 14 and 15, went missing from their home in Katra village on May 27 and were found hanging from a mango tree the next day — leading to nationwide outrage and severe criticism of the Samajwadi Party government and local police.

Calling the crime “more gruesome” than the Delhi gang rape, the father of one of the girls rejected the government’s offer of financial assistance and demanded public hanging of the culprits.

With two more arrests late Friday, all five main accused — brothers Pappu, Awadesh and Urvesh Yadav and constables Sarvesh Yadav and Chatrapal Singh — have been arrested. Both cops have been sacked. Two unnamed accused, also mentioned in the FIR, remain at large. The Yadav brothers have been booked for rape and murder and the policemen for criminal conspiracy.

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Earlier, Katra Sadatganj police outpost in-charge Ramvilas Yadav was suspended for failing to act.

Political rivals have accused Akhilesh of failing to control crime in the state. On Saturday, the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi met the families in Katra, supporting their demand for a CBI probe and accompanying them to the tree where the bodies were hanging.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati will be there on Sunday.

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“They said 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… I agree with them, there can be no price for a woman’s honour. The accused should know they can’t get away with this,” Rahul said.

Union HRD minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani criticised Akhilesh for his “outrageous” response to a reporter’s question on the Badaun case. The CM had said, “You haven’t been harmed, have you? Great. Thank you.”

“It is unfortunate that he has let down not only the people of UP but all those youngsters who felt that he would redefine youth and governance one day,” Irani said.