Badaun rape case: Two of three accused arrested, STF to join investigation

Announcing a breakthrough in the Badaun rape case, in which a 50-year-old woman was brutally murdered, Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, on Wednesday said that they have arrested two of the three accused based on the complaint of the victim’s husband.

However, the main accused, the priest, is on the run, Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

“The Inspector in charge has been suspended for not taking timely action. As per govt’s order, STF will join the case,” Kumar further added.

As the buzz grows around the case, which is a reminder of the unimaginable Delhi gang-rape case, the National Commission for Women (NCW) sought immediate intervention of the UP police in the matter.

The Commission has also said it will send its member to probe the incident.

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The woman, employed as an anganwadi worker, was gang-raped and brutally murdered allegedly by a priest and his two aides in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

The family of the deceased has alleged police apathy for the delay caused in filing the FIR in the case.

NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director-General of Police, Uttar Pradesh seeking immediate intervention in the matter.

The Commission has also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter from the police.

Earlier, Badaun’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sankalp Sharma said the station house officer of Ughaiti police station has been suspended for laxity in the case.

“On Sunday, the 50-year-old woman, who had gone to a temple, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Family members of the woman have accused the temple mahant (priest) and his aides of raping and murdering her. Based on this, a case was registered against the accused. Two of the accused persons were arrested on Tuesday night, while the mahant is still absconding,” Sharma said.

The post-mortem report confirms rape, and there are injuries in the victim’s private parts and a fracture in the leg, he said.