Badaun rapes, killings: CBI registers FIR (Third Lead)

The CBI Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) in the Badaun rapes-and-killings case and is sending a team of 20 officers to conduct the probe in Uttar Pradesh, CBI chief Ranjit Sinha said.

Two cousins, aged 14 and 15 years, were allegedly gang-raped and were later found hanging from a tree May 27 in Katra Sadatganj village of Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district, causing a national uproar.

"We have received a notification from the central government and registered a case in Badaun rape and murder case," Sinha told reporters on the sidelines of the passing out parade of the 17th batch of sub-inspectors at the CBI academy here.

He said that the special team, including forensic experts, will be led by DIG Madhukar Tiwari.

A CBI officer said that the team will "leave for Uttar Pradesh tomorrow (Friday)".

"The UP government has been requested to provide logistical support to the visiting team."

An official said that CBI sleuths are part of the special crime branch of the agency.

The agency will also seek the custody of the accused who have been arrested in connection with the case by Uttar Pradesh Police.

Seven people have been booked by the state police.

Five of the seven accused -- two constables Chhatrapal Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav and three brothers Pappu, Awadhesh and Urvesh Yadav -- have been arrested.

The agency has registered the case under sections 376-D (gang rape), 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and section 3/4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

According to a CBI official, it was alleged that May 27 evening, the two minor girls had gone to the field to relieve themselves when the three accused brothers abducted them.

"The witnesses to this abduction went to the police post Katra, Sahadat Gunj and reported the matter to the duo police constables, but instead of taking action, they allegedly slapped and abused them," said the official.

"The matter was also brought to the notice of the officer incharge of police station but the police allegedly did not act. Later on, it was found the two minor girls were allegedly gang raped and found hanging from a tree outside the village," he added.

In a twist to the case, Uttar Pradesh Director-General of Police A.L. Banerjee earlier claimed rape of one of the victims was not confirmed, suggesting that property could be one of the motives behind the crime.

The double rape and murder triggered nationwide outrage and the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government has drawn flak over the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.