Paswan demands speedy trial in Badaun gang rape case

Union minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan Monday met the families of the two Dalit girls who were gang raped and killed in a Badaun village last week.

Paswan, the union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, demanded a speedy trial in the case.

"There should be a fast trial of the case and the order for CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe should be acted upon at once," the Lok Janshakti Party president demanded.

Paswan, accompanied by his son and MP Chirag, said the lack of in-house toilet facility is a major cause of rapes across the country.

"There is no toilet facility in (Katra Sadatganj) village. We demand adequate toilet facility for all poor families in the village and across the country," he said.

He added that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's failure to visit the grieving families of the two victims was appalling.

"Why has the chief minister of the state failed to visit the victims' families? He must either be afraid of the villagers who are angry at the poor law and order situation or he must be giving tacit support to the perpetrators of this crime," Paswan said.

He added a permanent police camp must be set up in the village.

The two girls, aged 14 and 15 years, were abducted, gang raped and murdered May 27 when they went to relieve themselves in a field. Their bodies were later found hanging from a mango tree.

The state government has ordered a CBI probe into the case.