Alwar gang-rape case: Mayawati slams Congress govt in Rajasthan

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday criticised the Congress government in Rajasthan for allegedly trying to suppress a gang-rape case in Alwar.

Addressing a press conference, Mayawati demanded the death penalty for those guilty in the Alwar gang-rape case. "The guilty in Alwar gang-rape case should be hanged till death. Supreme Court should take action against the Congress government, police and the administration in the state. This matter is not just related to dalits but all women," Mayawati was quoted as saying by ANI. All the accused belong to the Gujjar community, while the victim is a dalit.

On April 26, the victim was riding pillion on a motorcycle with her husband when a group of six men, who were on two motorcycles, accosted them at the Thanagazi-Alwar bypass and took them to an isolated place and raped her, taking turns. The accused filmed the act and threatened the victim against going to the police. The victim's family alleged the local police delayed filing an FIR, noting it was lodged on May 2. The victim's family were told action was delayed on account of the elections.

Police arrested all six accused—Indra Raj Gujjar, Mahesh Gujjar, Ashok Gujjar, Hansraj Gujjar, Chhote Lal Gujjar and Mukesh Gujjar—on charges of gang-rape and filming the crime.

The perceived police inaction triggered protests across Rajasthan. On Friday, the National SC/ST Commission recommended an FIR be filed against police officers accused of negligence in the case.

On Tuesday night, the Ashok Gehlot government removed Alwar Superintendent of Police Rajiv Pachar and suspended the SHO of the Thanagazi police station Sardar Singh while four policemen were taken off active duty.

Amid heavy criticism of his government, Gehlot had declared the guilty would not be spared.