Hathras Rape Case: Main Accused Gets Life Sentence, 3 Others Acquitted

A Hathras court today sentenced the main accused of the 2020 Hathras rape-murder case to life imprisonment while acquitting 3 other accused.

Munna Singh Pundir (the Accused’s lawyer) stated that the rape charge couldn’t be proved against the prime accused.

The court held Sandeep (20) guilty under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a lesser charge than section 302 (murder).

Ravi (35), Luv Kush (23), and Ramu (26) were acquitted in the case that triggered outrage and put the Yogi Adityanath government in the dock over law & order in the state.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 against Sandeep.

The charge sheet was filed in the case by CBI in the SC/ST court here against all 4 accused for murder and gang rape, and under sections of the SC/ST Act.

Lawyer Seema Kushwaha (Representer of the Dalit woman’s family) said that they will challenge the verdict in the high court. Sandeep’s lawyer claimed that his client is innocent. He said that “We will appeal in the high court against the conviction.”

The 19-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by 4 men from her village on September 14, 2020. A fortnight later, she died at a Delhi hospital.

She wascrematedd in the middle of the night in her village near Hathras.

Her family members claimed that the cremation, which took place well past midnight, was without their consent and they were not allowed to bring home the body one last time.