Abhay Chuatala demands hanging Murthal gang-rape culprits

Leader of opposition in Haryana assembly Abhay Singh Chautala on Friday demanded capital punishment for all those responsible for the alleged gang-rape in Murthal during the Jats' stir for reservation in the state.

Indian National Lok Dal leader Chautala, while attending a party workers' meet here said the culprits of Sonipat district's Murthal incident that occurred on the National Highway-1 must be traced out and their brutality deserves that they be sent to the gallows.

According to media reports, at least 10 women passengers were stopped near Murthal in Haryana early Monday and raped in the fields.

Blaming the BJP government in the state of complete failure in ensuring law and order, Chautala said a few people in the ruling party were again trying to disturb the situation by issuing unnecessary statements.

Chautala said some Congress leaders in the state also helped in disturbing peaceful environment through instigating messages.

Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's political advisor Virender Singh has been booked under sedition charges in Rohtak for instigating Jat stir, that was called off on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court took a suo moto cognizance in the alleged gang-rapes, the Haryana Police on Friday ordered a probe into the matter.

The court said the victims can send their complaints in sealed envelopes to chief judicial magistrate (CJM) and their identity would not be revealed.

The court also directed the authorities to publish an advertisement regarding it.