Amnesty terms UP rape victim's ordeal a 'chilling picture', seeks impartial probe

Human rights group Amnesty International India on Wednesday termed the Uttar Pradesh rape survivors ordeal and her fathers custodial death as "painting a chilling picture" and demanded an "immediate and impartial investigation" into the case.

Reacting to the death of the rape survivor's father in police custody on Monday, Amnesty International India's Programmes Director Asmita Basu said that the state police seemed to have "turned their backs on human rights".

"The reported failure of the Uttar Pradesh Police to register an FIR against the accused, the harassment faced by the survivor and her family, and the death of her father in custody paint a chilling picture.

"There must be an immediate, independent and impartial investigation into these violations, and authorities must take all steps to ensure that the survivor and her family are protected from any further harassment," she said.

Basu also urged the state government to respond to the notices issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the case.

In June 2017, a woman in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao was allegedly raped by a BJP MLA and his brothers.

On Sunday, the survivor attempted suicide outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence, accusing the authorities of failing to investigate the case, and protecting perpetrators.

On Monday, the father of the girl died in police custody. He had been picked up by police late on Sunday and was apparently beaten mercilessly by four aides of the legislator as well as police personnel.

The survivor has said that her father was killed because she was not willing to withdraw her complaint.

On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the girl's accusations as well as the death of her father in police custody.

--IANS

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