View source for 2020 Hathras gang rape and murder

{{short description|Torture, gang rape, and murder incident in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2020 Hathras Gang Rape and Murder
| image = 
| image_size = 
| image_upright = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| map = {{Location map|India Uttar Pradesh|coordinates={{coord|27.60|N|78.05|E}}}}
| coordinates = {{coord|27.60|N|78.05|E|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Hathras]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| date = {{start date|df=yes|2020|09|14}}
| time = 
| timezone = 
| type = [[Rape]], [[murder]], [[Dragging death|dragging]] and [[strangling]] (with [[dupatta]])<ref name="Uttar Pradesh Dalit girl, victim of brutal gang rape, dies in Delhi hospital">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Uttar Pradesh Dalit girl, victim of brutal gang rape, dies in Delhi hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dalit-girl-gangraped-by-upper-caste-men-in-uttar-pradeshs-hathras-dies-in-delhi-hospital/article32721406.ece |access-date=2 May 2026 |publisher=The Hindu |date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502051119/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dalit-girl-gangraped-by-upper-caste-men-in-uttar-pradeshs-hathras-dies-in-delhi-hospital/article32721406.ece |archive-date=2 May 2026 |language=en-IN}}</ref> 
| fatalities = 1
| injuries = 
| perpetrators = 4
| susperps = <!-- or | susperp = -->
| weapons = 
| numparts = 
| motive = 
| inquiry = 
| coroner = 
| accused = Sandip Thakur, Ramu Thakur, Lavkush Thakur and Ravi Thakur<ref name=timesofindia-29Sep20>{{cite news |last1=Jaiswal |first1=Anuja |title=Rape survivor moved to Delhi, 'spine damage permanent'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rape-survivor-moved-to-delhi-spine-damage-permanent/articleshow/78375589.cms |access-date=1 October 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |agency=Times Now Network (TNN) |date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| convicted = Sandeep Thakur  -  For culpable homicide (IPC 304)
| verdict = No Rape or Murder Proven
| convictions = 3 accused Ramu Thakur, Lavkush Thakur and Ravi Thakur were released by the court. None of them were present at the crime spot. 

Sandeep Thakur convicted for culpable homicide (IPC 304) and no rape charges (IPC 374) established.
| charges = murder, gang rape<ref name=DNAIndia-29Sep20/> and violations of the [[Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989]].<ref name=timesofindia-28Sep20/>
| litigation = 
| module = 
}}
On 14 September 2020, a gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman  was reported in [[Hathras district]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]], by four men. She died two weeks later in a [[Delhi]] hospital.<ref name=timesofindia-29Sep20/><ref>{{cite news |title=Hathras gangrape: Dalit woman succumbs to injuries in Delhi; security beefed up outside hospital amid protests |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-dalit-gangrape-victim-dies-6629876/ |access-date=1 October 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Johari|first1=Aarefa|date=30 September 2020|title=In videos: How the Dalit woman raped in Hathras was cremated without letting her family say goodbye|work=[[Scroll.in]]|url=https://scroll.in/article/974529/in-videos-how-the-dalit-woman-raped-in-hathras-was-cremated-without-letting-her-family-say-goodbye|access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="2020 Hathras Gang-Rape-Murder Case: A Timeline">{{cite news |title=2020 Hathras Gang-Rape-Murder Case: A Timeline |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2020-hathras-gang-rape-murder-case-timeline-of-events-3828057 |access-date=2 May 2026 |publisher=NDTV |date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502051742/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2020-hathras-gang-rape-murder-case-timeline-of-events-3828057 |archive-date=2 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="Hathras gang-rape case: A look at the timeline as UP court sets 3 accused free">{{cite news |title=Hathras gang-rape case: A look at the timeline as UP court sets 3 accused free |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/hathras-gang-rape-case-a-look-at-the-timeline-as-up-court-sets-3-accused-free-11677748908293.html |access-date=2 May 2026 |publisher=Mint |date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502052029/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/hathras-gang-rape-case-a-look-at-the-timeline-as-up-court-sets-3-accused-free-11677748908293.html |archive-date=2 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref>

Initially, it was reported that one accused had tried to kill her, later in her statement to the magistrate, the victim named four accused as having raped her.<ref name="The Indian Express">{{cite news|date=1 October 2020|title=Impunity in Hathras|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/hathras-dalit-woman-gangrape-6654041/|access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> No arrests were made in the first 10 days after the incident took place. After her death, the victim's body was forcefully cremated by the police without the consent of her family, although police claimed consent was obtained prior to cremation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halder |first1=Tanseem |last2=Mishra |first2=Himanshu |title=Hathras horror: Police, victim's family give contradictory accounts |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-horror-police-victim-s-family-give-contradictory-accounts-1727098-2020-09-30 |access-date=1 October 2020 |work=[[India Today]] |date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

The case and its subsequent handling received widespread media attention and condemnation from across the country, and was the subject of protests against the [[First Yogi Adityanath ministry|Yogi Adityanath]] [[government of Uttar Pradesh|government]] by activists and opposition.<ref name=Hindu-01Oct20>{{cite news|date=1 October 2020|title=Hathras gang-rape: Opposition parties demand resignation of U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hathras-gang-rape-opposition-parties-demand-resignation-of-up-chief-minister-yogi-adityanath/article32734523.ece|access-date=2 October 2020| work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The mishandling of the case additionally caused a severe damage to the reputation of the [[Uttar Pradesh Police]], which faced harsh criticism from the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]], lawyers and activists, who took-over the investigation after noticing the misconducts and the botched up investigation committed by the Uttar Pradesh Police.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-horror-police-victim-s-family-give-contradictory-accounts-1727098-2020-09-30|title=Hathras horror: Police, victim's family give contradictory accounts|author=Tanseem Haider Himanshu Mishra |date=30 September 2020 |magazine=India Today|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002185750/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-horror-police-victim-s-family-give-contradictory-accounts-1727098-2020-09-30|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Incident==
The incident took place on 14 September 2020, when the victim, a 19-year-old [[Dalit]] woman, went to a farm to collect cattle fodder. According to the victim's dying statement, four men–Sandeep Thakur, Ramu Thakur, Lavkush Thakur and Ravi Thakur–dragged her away by the [[dupatta]] around her neck injuring her [[spinal cord]] in the process. The violence left her paralyzed with a severe spinal cord injury. Her tongue was cut off.{{Contradictory inline|date=November 2025}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Another girl, raped and murdered |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/pritish-nandy/another-girl-raped-and-murdered/articleshow/78524751.cms |first1=Pritish |last1=Nandy |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]}}</ref> The perpetrators had tried to strangle the girl as she resisted their rape attempt. She ended up biting her tongue while being strangled.{{Contradictory inline|date=November 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kumar Dongare |first1=Akshay|last2=Pandey|first2=Alok|date=September 29, 2020|editor-last=Ghosh|editor-first=Deepshikha|title=UP Woman, Gang-Raped And Tortured 2 Weeks Ago, Dies In Delhi Hospital|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/woman-gang-raped-and-assaulted-in-ups-hathras-two-weeks-ago-dies-in-delhi-hospital-2302445|access-date=2020-10-17|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> Her cries were heard by her mother, who came to the spot to find her lying down in the farm. She was at first taken to the Chand Pa police station, where the [[Station house officer]], D. K. Verma, rejected her claims and, according to the family, humiliated them.<ref name=Quint-01Sep20>{{Cite news|last=Nandy|first=Asmita|date=1 October 2020|title='This Is All Drama': Accused's Kin on Hathras Dalit Girl's Assault|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/hathras-ground-report-who-are-the-accused-caste-discrimination|access-date=1 October 2020|work=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 September 2020 |first=Anuja |last=Jaiswal |agency=TNN |title=Hathras rape survivor moved to Safdarjung, damage to spine permanent |work=[[Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/hathras-rape-survivor-moved-to-safdarjung-damage-to-spine-permanent/articleshow/78370567.cms |access-date=4 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The police registered a complaint six days later, on 20 September.<ref>{{Cite tweet|title=इसे पढ़ लीजिए।|url=|access-date=3 October 2020|website=Twitter|language=hi|number=1307933617843134464|user=dm_hathras|author=DM Hathras|date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The police were able to record the victim's statement on 22 September.<ref name=hindustantimes-01Oct20>{{Cite news |first1=Hemendra |last1=Chaturvedi |first2=Dhrubo |last2=Jyoti |first3=Shiv |last3=Sunny |date=1 October 2020 |title=Hathras case: Cops contradict victim's statement |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hathras-case-cops-contradict-victim-s-statement/story-ZZLwQAdckGVk2jZAWcAmyL.html |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref>  In her three recorded statements, she mentioned that she was raped and, when she attempted to resist, strangled.<ref name="3 videos">{{cite news |last1=Jaiswal |first1=Anuja |title=Hathras Case Update: In 3 videos, Hathras girl said she was raped, strangled when she resisted {{!}} Agra News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/in-3-videos-hathras-girl-said-she-was-raped-strangled-when-she-resisted/articleshow/78625815.cms |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |publisher=The Time of India |language=en}}</ref>
The victim was initially admitted to the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh|Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital]] in [[Aligarh]] on 14 September,<ref name=timesofindia-30Sep20>{{cite news |title=Gang-raped & tortured, Dalit teen dies after 15-day battle |first1=Anuja |last1=Jaiswal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gang-raped-tortured-dalit-teen-dies-after-15-day-battle/articleshow/78395616.cms |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 September 2020}}</ref> with her spinal cord severely damaged. She was later moved to the [[Safdarjung Hospital]] in Delhi, after her condition worsened. According to the police, the victim had been strangled with her [[dupatta]]. She died on 29 September 2020.<ref name="BBC-30Sep20">{{Cite news|date=30 September 2020 |title=Rape victim cremated 'without family's consent'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54351744|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=BBC-29Sep20>{{cite news |title=Hathras gang rape: India victim's death sparks outrage |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54335895 |work=BBC News |date=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|editor-last=Mishra|editor-first=Arti |date=29 September 2020|title=हाथरस गैंगरेप मामले में दलित युवती की मौत से लोगों में गुस्सा, कह रहे- इंसाफ दो…|url=https://www.india.com/hindi-news/others/hathras-gangrape-victim-death-people-demand-justice-angry-comments-on-social-media-ripmanishavalmiki-trending-on-social-media-4156213/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=[[india.com]]|language=hi}}</ref>

The mother of the victim said that Sandeep and Lavkush had been harassing her and the victim for months.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hathras gangrape: Accused were harassing her for months, says mother of 19-year-old |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/hathras-gangrape-accused-were-harassing-her-for-months-says-mother-of-19-year-old/story-6MwdIIiEG2x7KHN0BUkQDN.html |date=4 October 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020|work=[[Hindustan Times]] |first1=Shiv |last1=Sunny}}</ref>

The [[autopsy]] registered the cause of death as "injury to the cervical spine by blunt-force trauma". The report mentioned old healed injuries to her private parts,{{unclear inline|date=November 2025}} though the exact age is not mentioned. A scientific officer{{unclear inline|date=November 2025}} had clarified that the injuries of the rape incident could have been healed during the time period of treatment.{{unclear inline|date=November 2025}}<ref name=ndtv-02Oct20>{{Cite news |author-last1=Gunasekar  |author-first1=Arvind |author-last2=Singh Sengar  |author-first2=Mukesh |editor1-last=Ghosh  |editor1-first=Deepshikha |date=2 October 2020 |title=No Rape In Hathras Case, Senior UP Cop Claims, Citing Forensic Report|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-gang-rape-autopsy-report-shows-victim-was-strangled-suffered-cervical-spine-injury-2303696|access-date=3 October 2020|website=[[NDTV]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=thequint-01Oct20>{{Cite news|date=1 October 2020|title=No Rape, Case Twisted to Cause Caste Tension: UP ADG on FSL Report|url=https://www.thequint.com/neon/gender/hathras-rape-victim-strangulated-suffered-spinal-injury-autopsy|access-date=1 October 2020|work=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref>

== Cremation ==
The victim was forcefully cremated on the night at about 2:30 am <ref name="BBC-30Sep20"/> on 29 September 2020 by [[Uttar Pradesh Police]]  without the consent of the victim's family.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Arun|date=30 September 2020|title=In UP Gang-Rape Tragedy, 2.30 am Cremation By Cops, Family Kept Out|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-hathras-rape-victim-cremated-by-cops-family-begged-to-pay-last-respects-2303004|access-date=3 October 2020|website=NDTV}}</ref> It was done without the family's consent and they were locked up in their house.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Hathras Gang Rape Case: परिवार का विरोध, पुलिस ने आधी रात जबरन कराया पीड़िता का अंतिम संस्कार|url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/uttar-pradesh/aligarh/hathras-gang-rape-case-uproar-over-victim-funeral-in-night-women-lying-in-front-of-ambulance-heavy-police-deployment-in-hatras|access-date=30 September 2020|website=[[Amar Ujala]]|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Hathras Gangrape Case: Police forcibly took away body for cremation, says victim's brother|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/hathras-gang-rape-police-forcibly-took-away-body-for-cremation-says-victims-brother/articleshow/78398208.cms|access-date=3 October 2020|work=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|agency=PTI}}</ref><ref name=aljazeera-02Oct20>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2020 |title=India Dalit rape victim family 'locked up as police burned body' |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/2/hathras-they-locked-us-inside-our-home-and-burnt-her-body |access-date=4 October 2020 |first1=Hanan |last1=Zaffar |first2=Karan |last2=Anand}}</ref> According to reports petrol was used for cremation.<ref name=aljazeera-02Oct20 /> However Prashant Kumar, [[Additional director general of police|ADG]] (law and order), said that the family's consent was obtained.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pathak |first1=Analiza |date=30 September 2020 |title=Hathras horror: UP ADG denies claims of forceful cremation, says family's consent was taken |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/hathras-gangrape-up-adg-prashant-kumar-denies-claims-of-forceful-cremation-of-victim-says-family-consent-taken-653409 |url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2020|website=[[India TV]]|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004103300/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/hathras-gangrape-up-adg-prashant-kumar-denies-claims-of-forceful-cremation-of-victim-says-family-consent-taken-653409 |archive-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

The reports of the forced cremation led the [[Allahabad High Court]] to take [[suo moto]] cognisance. The bench also asked the victim's family, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to appear before it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Sanjay |date=1 October 2020|title=Hathras case: Allahabad HC takes suo moto cognizance, seeks report from UP govt, police |work=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-case-allahabad-hc-seeks-report-from-up-govt-police-1727477-2020-10-01|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> The bench added, "The incidents which took place after the death of the victim on 29.09.2020 leading up to her cremation, have shocked our conscience".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rashid |first=Omar |date=1 October 2020 |title=Cremation of victim shocked our conscience, says Allahabad High Court |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cremation-of-hathras-rape-victim-shocked-our-conscience-says-allahabad-high-court/article32747271.ece |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

==Police and administration==
When the news broke out initially through social media, Agra Police, Hathras [[District magistrate|District Magistrate]], and UP's Information & Public Relations called it "fake news".<ref>{{cite news |last=Sengar|first=Shweta |date=30 September 2020 |title=Brushing It As Fake News To Cremating In Secrecy, UP Police Sabotaged Hathras Gangrape Case |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/up-police-sabotaged-hathras-gangrape-case-brushing-it-as-fake-news-to-cremating-in-secrecy-524033.html |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[IndiaTimes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|title=फेक न्यूज़ के विरुद्ध कार्यवाई करते हुए अभी तक 105 FIR पंजीकृत कराई गई हैं और विभिन्न जनपदों में 26 लोगों को गिरफ्तार किया गया है।|language=hi|number=1309787064137785345|user=ShishirGoUP|author=Shishir <!-- should we add his designation? -->|date=26 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|title=आज दिनांक 24.09.2020 को जनपद आगरा में 19 वर्षीय दलित युवती के साथ बताई जा रही सामूहिक बलात्कार की घटना न तो किसी भी थाने में पंजीकृत हुई है और न ही आगरा पुलिस के संज्ञान में है। कृपया भ्रामक सूचना न फैलाएं।|url=|access-date=3 October 2020|website=Twitter|language=hi|number=1309022690305601542|user=agrapolice|author=Agra Police|date=24 September 2020}}</ref> Later, a senior UP Police officer claimed that no sperm was found in samples as per forensic report and that some people had "twisted" the incident to stir "caste-based tension." The officer also said that the forensic report revealed that the victim was not raped.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 October 2020|title=Hathras woman not raped: UP Police|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hathras-woman-not-raped-up-police/articleshow/78426901.cms|access-date=3 October 2020|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> However, Experts have alleged this evidence is unreliable, citing guidelines that state swabs to test for sperm should only be taken if the assault might have occurred in the previous three days. After three to four days, swabs should be taken to test only for semen, not for sperm. Kumar also stated that the forensic report had found "no semen or semen excretion"; a retired officer quoted by the BBC criticized that "Police officers should not jump to conclusions. The presence or absence of semen by itself does not prove rape. We need a lot of other circumstantial and other evidence."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Biswas|first=Soutik|date=2020-10-02|title=Hathras case: Are Indian state police trying to discount a woman's story of rape?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54370087|access-date=2020-10-02}}</ref>

Reports indicated that the family faced pressure from the administration. A video emerged in which the [[Hathras]] District Magistrate is seen pressuring the family into changing their statement. He could be heard saying "Don’t ruin your credibility. These media people will leave in a couple of days. Half have already left, the rest will leave in 2{{ndash}}3 days. We are the ones standing with you. Now it depends on you if you want to keep changing your testimony...."<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 October 2020|title=Media will be gone, we will remain: DM tells Hathras rape victim's family|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/media-will-be-gone-we-will-remain-dm-tells-hathras-rape-victims-family-896149.html|access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref><!-- add administration's defence on this -->

On 3 October, the state government suspended five police officers including the Superintendent of Police.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2020 |title=Hathras gang rape: India police suspended amid public outcry|work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/3/police-officers-suspended-in-india-over-gang-rape-investigation |access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> The Station House Officer of Chand Pa Police Station D. K. Verma was subsequently transferred for failure to act promptly, refusing to file a report, and humiliating the victim and her family.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-gangrape-case-sho-transferred-to-police-lines-for-failing-to-act-promptly-1725993-2020-09-27|title=Hathras gangrape case: SHO transferred to police lines for failing to 'act promptly'|date=27 September 2020 |magazine=India Today|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009180959/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-gangrape-case-sho-transferred-to-police-lines-for-failing-to-act-promptly-1725993-2020-09-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'' and others reported that the Uttar Pradesh government employed Concept PR, a Mumbai public relations firm. The PR firm allegedly sent out press releases (on behalf of the government) stating that the Hathras teenager was not raped. The press releases also alluded to a conspiracy to push the state of Uttar Pradesh into caste turmoil.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2020 |title=Now, PR agency pushes Adityanath government line that Hathras woman was not raped |work=[[Scroll.in]] |url=https://scroll.in/article/974753/now-pr-agency-pushes-adityanath-government-line-that-hathras-woman-was-not-raped|access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Yogi Govt Enlists PR Firm to Push 'Hathras Girl Was Not Raped' Story Line With Foreign Media|url=https://thewire.in/government/adityanath-government-hathras-case-rape-pr-firm |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref>

On 4 October, [[Yogi Adityanath]] recommended a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] probe.<ref name=ndtv-04Oct20>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2020 |title=Yogi Adityanath Recommends CBI Probe In Hathras Rape-Murder Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-recommends-cbi-probe-in-hathras-rape-murder-case-2304757 |access-date=4 October 2020 |work=[[NDTV]] |editor1-first=Debanish |editor1-last=Achom }}</ref> The victim's family was not in favour of the CBI investigation and wanted a judicial probe to be conducted in the case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hathras gang-rape victim's family against CBI probe; SIT records statement |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hathras-gang-rape-victim-s-family-against-cbi-probe-sit-records-statement/story-1RdD0AUGNt2GGAdmzzFTiI.html |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=4 October 2020 |author-first1=Hemendra |author-last1=Chaturvedi |editor1-first=Kanishka |editor1-last=Sarkar}}</ref> However, the CBI began its investigation on 10 October, amid nationwide outrage, after notification from [[Government of India|central government]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2020 |title=CBI takes over probe into Hathras case amid outrage |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-issues-notification-for-cbi-to-take-over-hathras-case-6720000/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=CBI Takes Over Hathras Probe From UP Police|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cbi-takes-over-probe-into-hathras-case-from-up-police-2308230 |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=[[NDTV]] |editor1-first=Divyanshu |editor1-last=Dutta Roy |date=10 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Subhash |agency=TNN |title=CBI takes over Hathras rape and murder case |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-takes-over-hathras-rape-and-murder-case/articleshow/78595821.cms |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

The Uttar Pradesh government alleged a "deep rooted conspiracy"<ref name=ndtv-05Oct20>{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Deeshikha |date=5 October 2020|title='Deep Conspiracy In Hathras': UP Police Files 19 Cases Across State|work=[[NDTV]] |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-case-deep-conspiracy-in-hathras-up-police-files-19-cases-across-state-2305419|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> and an "international plot" to incite caste based riots in Hathras and defame the Yogi government.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=In fresh FIR, Hathras police claims 'international plot' to defame Yogi govt|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-gangrape-case-fir-yogi-adityanath-6703740/|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> Nineteen FIRs have been filed by the Uttar Pradesh police in the aftermath of the alleged gang rape. The charges listed by police on the main FIR include inciting caste based divides, religious discrimination, doctoring electronic evidence, a conspiracy against the state and defamation.<ref name="ndtv-05Oct20"/> Yogi Adityanath had earlier asked his party workers to "expose those who want to incite caste and communal riots".<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=Expose those who want to incite caste riots, says Yogi Adityanath|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/expose-those-who-want-to-incite-caste-riots-says-yogi-adityanath-6703061/|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> UP Police detained 4 men, including a Delhi-based journalist [[Sidheeq Kappan]] under [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]], for their alleged link to [[Popular Front of India]] PFI, on Mathura Toll Plaza, while on their way to the village.<ref>{{cite web |last1=News Service |first1=Express |title=Kerala journalist arrested on his way to Hathras, colleagues approach Yogi Adityanath for his release |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/oct/06/kerala-journalist-arrested-on-his-way-to-hathras-colleagues-approach-yogi-adityanath-for-his-release-2206529.html |website=New Indian Express |date=6 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rashid |first1=Omar |title=Journalist and three others, arrested on their way to Hathras, booked for sedition in U.P. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/malayalam-journalist-3-others-arrested-near-hathras-booked-under-sedition-law/article32791003.ece |website=The Hindu |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hathras case: Kerala journalists' union condemns arrest of reporter alleged to have PFI links |url=https://scroll.in/latest/975037/hathras-case-kerala-journalist-three-others-with-alleged-links-to-pfi-detained-by-up-police |date=6 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[Scroll.in]] |language=en}}</ref> The administration alleged that the men were on their way to Hathras for inciting caste and communal violence.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 October 2020 |title=Hathras case: 4 people arrested in Mathura have PFI links, says UP police |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/hathras-case-4-people-arrested-in-mathura-have-pfi-links-says-up-police-2315087.html |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[Zee News]] |language=en |editor1-first=Tanweer |editor1-last=Azam}}</ref>

== Arrests and compensation ==
[[Hathras]] police have arrested the four accused — Sandeep, Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi — on charges of attempt to murder, gang rape<ref name=DNAIndia-29Sep20>{{Cite news|date=29 September 2020|title=19-year-old Dalit teen, gang-raped in UP's Hathras, passes away|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-19-year-old-dalit-teen-gang-raped-in-up-s-hathras-passes-away-2846081 |access-date=30 September 2020|work=[[DNA India]] |language=en}}</ref> and violations of the [[Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989]].<ref name=timesofindia-28Sep20>{{cite news |last1=Jaiswal |first1=Anuja |date=28 September 2020 |title=Hathras rape survivor critical, moved to Delhi's Safdarjung |work=[[The Times of India]]|agency=Times Now Network (TNN)|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/hathras-rape-survivor-critical-moved-to-delhis-safdarjung-hospital/articleshow/78371174.cms|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> One of the accused, Ravi, and his father had been arrested 15{{ndash}}20 years ago for  assaulting the victim's grandfather.<ref name=Quint-01Sep20 /> .No  arrest was made in the first 10 days of the incident.<ref name=BBC-29Sep20 /> SSP Vikrant Vir had transferred the SHO of Chandpa police station to police lines for failing to promptly act in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2020|title=Hathras gangrape case: SHO transferred to police lines for failing to 'act promptly'|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-gangrape-case-sho-transferred-to-police-lines-for-failing-to-act-promptly-1725993-2020-09-27 |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[India Today]]|language=en}}</ref> The state government, [[Yogi Adityanath]] and district administration announced a compensation of {{INRConvert|2.5|m|lk=r}} to the victim's family and a junior assistant job for a family member. Apart from this, the family will also be allotted a house in Hathras under a State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) scheme.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Tripathi|first1=Chitra |last2=Srivastava |first2=Shivendra |date=30 September 2020| title=UP CM Yogi Adityanath speaks to father of Hathras gangrape victim, announces Rs 25 lakh compensation |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-cm-yogi-adityanath-speaks-to-father-of-hathras-gangrape-victim-announces-rs-25-lakh-compensation-1727065-2020-09-30 |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 September 2020 |title=Hathras rape case: District administration announces Rs 25 lakh compensation for family of victim |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/29/hathrasrape-case-district-administration-announces-rs-10-lakh-compensation-for-family-of-victim-2203614.html |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] }}</ref>

== Claims of the accused ==
The main accused, Sandeep Thakur, who is in jail along with the three others, has written a letter to the police in Hathras, claiming that he and the 20-year-old girl were "friends", who "apart from meeting, used to speak on the phone once in a while"; further alleged that her family was against their friendship, and they killed her.<ref name="NDTV Hathras Accused">{{cite news|date=8 October 2020|title=Family Was Against Our Friendship, They Killed Her |work=[[NDTV]] |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-case-accused-claims-in-letter-family-was-against-our-friendship-they-killed-her-2306891|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|date=8 October 2020|title=Hathras rape: Main accused claims victim's family opposed their 'friendship', killed her |work=[[Scroll.in]]|url=https://scroll.in/latest/975283/hathras-rape-main-accused-claims-victims-family-opposed-their-friendship-killed-her|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> The UP police has alleged that call records show that the woman's family knew the main accused, Sandeep Thakur.<ref name="auto"/> As per the Call Detail Report released, around 100 phone calls were made from a phone number registered in the name of the girl's brother and the main accused Sandeep Thakur between October 2019 and March 2020.<ref name="The New Indian Express">{{cite news|date=6 October 2020|title=100 phone calls were made between Hathras victim's kin and main accused: Call Detail Report|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/oct/06/100-phone-calls-were-made-between-hathras-victims-kin-and-main-accused-call-detail-report-2206674.html/|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

==Reactions==

The case and its subsequent handling has received widespread media attention and condemnation from across the country, and was the subject of protests against the [[First Yogi Adityanath ministry|Yogi Adityanath]] government by activists and opposition.<ref name=Hindu-01Oct20/>

Former [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] president [[Rahul Gandhi]] and general secretary [[Priyanka Gandhi]] were accosted and detained by police in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] as they attempted to make their way to the village of the victim on foot after their vehicles had been stopped by officers on the motorway.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2020|title=Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi arrested on way to meet Indian rape victim's family |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/rahul-gandhi-arrested-way-indian-rape-victim-family|work=[[The Guardian]] |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2020 |title=Stopped on way, Rahul, Priyanka make a point — helped by police|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-gangrape-case-rahul-priyanka-gandhi-up-congress-6664087/ |access-date=3 October 2020 |work=[[Indian Express]]|first1=Somya |last1=Lakhani |first2=Jignasa |last2=Sinha}}</ref> [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] national  president and former Chief Minister [[Mayawati]] demanded resignation of Chief Minister Yogi stating him as an incapable to protecting Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, she further asserted that he should oversee newly built [[Ram Mandir, Ayodhya]] or join his [[Gorakhnath Math]].<ref name=indianexpress-02Oct20>{{cite news |title=Replace UP CM, send 'incapable' Yogi Adityanath back to Gorakhpur: Mayawati to BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-up-rape-case-mayawati-yogi-adityanath-6663115/ |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |first1=Maulshree |last1=Seth |date=2 October 2020}}</ref>

According to some media reports, a group calling itself "Rashtriya Savarna Parishad" came out in support of the accused.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kashyap|first=Apoorva|date=2020-10-04|title=Upper Caste Group, BJP Leader Rally In Support Of Hathras Gang-Rape Accused|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/protestandinjustice/upper-caste-group-demands-justice-for-the-accused-of-hathras-gangrape-case-24138|access-date=2020-10-08|website=thelogicalindian.com|language=en}}</ref> The involvement of the police was also implicitly found in various media reports.<ref name="outlookindia">{{cite news|last=Dhar |first=Dipsita |date=1 October 2020|title=Hathras Rape: A Caste Continuum|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-heres-why-caste-matters-when-a-dalit-woman-is-raped/361253|access-date=2 October 2020|website=[[Outlook India]]|quote=The men who raped the 19-year-old girl in Hathras are Rajputs/Thakurs, the one community that owns perhaps the largest share of land in rural India. Why are media houses that were so comfortable reporting the victimhood of a Dalit woman so chary about  the immense power that dominant castes still hold on to? [...] We even saw a ‘Rashtriya Savarna Parishad’ come out in support of the rapists—the ‘betas’ of the community who can never do anything wrong. Boys will be boys. And Thakur boys will be Thakur boys.}}</ref> Another media report stated that an outfit called 'National Sawarna Council' visited the [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] and filed a memorandum alleging the family of the victim girl to  be involved in implication of the innocent people.<ref>{{cite news|date=30 September 2020 |title=Prepare to Be More Shocked! 'Savarna Parishad' Allegedly Comes Out in Support of Hathras Rapists, Says 'Innocents Are Being Framed' |url=https://www.india.com/viral/prepare-to-be-more-shocked-savarna-parishad-allegedly-comes-out-in-support-of-hathras-rapists-says-innocents-are-being-framed-4157468/|access-date=2 October 2020|website=[[india.com]] |editor1-first=Ritu |editor1-last=Singh}}</ref> A day after the police forcefully cremated the body of the rape victim, [[Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan|Chandrashekhar Azad]] the president of [[Bhim Army]] (a [[Dalit]]-rights organisation based in [[Uttar Pradesh]]) was placed under house arrest for staging a protest against the government demanding justice for the victim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-horror-bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-azad-under-house-arrest-in-saharanpur-1727135-2020-10-01 |title=Hathras horror: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad under house arrest in Saharanpur |work=[[India Today]] |access-date=2 October 2020 |date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://theprint.in/plugged-in/primetime/republic-tv-news18-zee-news-see-many-conspiracies-in-hathras-gang-rape-case/517652/ |work=[[ThePrint]] |date=6 October 2020 |first1=Angana |last1=Chakrabarti |first2=Revathi |last2=Krishnan |title=Republic TV, News18, Zee News see many conspiracies in Hathras gang-rape case |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref>

On 3 October 2020, [[Indian National Congress]] leaders [[Rahul Gandhi]] and [[Priyanka Gandhi Vadra]] visited the victim's family. This was dismissed by the BJP as a "political stunt".<ref name=ndtv-04Oct20 />

Delhi chief minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] demanded the execution of the accused.<ref name=ndtv-04Oct20 />

On 2 October, BJP IT cell head [[Amit Malviya]] tweeted a video of the 19-year-old victim, which showed her face,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Daniyal|first=Shoaib|title=Hathras gangrape: By disclosing identity of dead victim, BJP sinks to new low – and violates the law|url=https://scroll.in/article/974886/hathras-gangrape-by-disclosing-identity-of-dead-victim-bjp-sinks-to-new-low-and-violates-the-law|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Scroll.in|date=4 October 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2020 |title=No Action Yet On BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya's Hathras Tweet Identifying Victim|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bjp-amit-malviya-hathras-tweet_in_5f7ab22fc5b64b480ab013bd |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=[[HuffPost]] India |language=en |first1=Akshita |last1=Jain}}</ref> allegedly in contravention of Section 228A of the [[Indian Penal Code]]. Similarly, Tamil Nadu's BJP IT cell head CTR Nirmal Kumar posted a video of the 19-year-old Dalit woman with insensitive remark, that clearly revealed the identity of the woman, which is in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title=Tamil Nadu BJP IT cell head shares video of Hathras victim, makes insensitive remark|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-nadu-bjp-it-cell-head-shares-video-hathras-victim-makes-insensitive-remark-134275|access-date=2020-10-08|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

On 4 October, Rajveer Singh Pehelwan, an ex-MLA of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), held a rally in support of the accused. Hundreds of people attended the rally, including the family members of the four accused. The meeting was also attended by members of various right-wing outfits like the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), [[Karni Sena]] and [[Bajrang Dal]]. These members were also part of various upper caste outfits including Kshatriya Mahasabha, Rashtriya Savarna Sangathan, etc.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bhatnagar |first1=Amil |last2=Sinha |first2=Jignasa |date=5 October 2020 |title=Ex-BJP MLA holds meeting in Hathras to back accused |work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ex-bjp-mla-holds-meeting-in-hathras-to-back-accused-6703130/|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nandy |first=Asmita |date=4 October 2020| title=BJP Leader, Right Wing Outfits Rally in Support of Hathras Accused |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bjp-leader-hindutva-groups-take-out-rallies-in-support-of-thakurs-accused-in-hathras |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hathras Case: At BJP Leader's House, Rally Held in Support of the Accused|url=https://thewire.in/caste/hathras-case-bjp-leader-rajveer-pahalwan-rally-support-accused-thakurs |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |first1=Ismat |last1=Ara |date=5 October 2020}}</ref> On 7 October, the ex-BJP MLA and 100 others were booked by the [[Uttar Pradesh Police|UP Police]] for organizing the rally.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/oct/07/ex-bjp-mla-100-others-booked-for-organising-crowd-in-support-of-hathras-gang-rape-accused-2207007.html |title=Ex-BJP MLA, 100 others booked for organising crowd in support of Hathras gang rape accused |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020 |agency=PTI}}</ref> 

BJP leader, Ranjeet Srivastava, said that the accused are not guilty of a crime. He further asserted that "Such girls are found dead in only some places". They will be found dead in sugarcane, corn and millet fields or in bushes, gutters or forests. Why are they never found dead in paddy or wheat fields?"<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-07|title='Must have called boyfriend to the field': BJP leader's shocker on Hathras|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/must-have-called-boyfriend-to-the-field-bjp-leader-s-shocker-on-hathras/story-uH6k0jgGHGJlqwkk4IsmbK.html|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name="TheWire-07Oct20">{{Cite news |title=Hathras: BJP Leader Implies Woman Was Victim of Honour Killing, Says Accused Are Innocent |url=https://thewire.in/politics/hathras-case-bjp-leader-ranjeet-bahadur-srivastava-maligns-character-victim |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=7 October 2020}}</ref> The head of the [[National Commission for Women]] commented this was an unfit statement for any political party leader.<ref name="TheWire-07Oct20" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Navya |date=8 October 2020 |title='Women Like Hathras Victim Are Often Found Dead In Fields', BJP Leader Summoned By NCW For Comment |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/trending/bjp-leader-comments-hathras-victim-24202|access-date=12 October 2020 |work=The Logical Indian|language=en}}</ref> Another remark that drew fierce criticism came from BJP MLA, [[Surendra Nath Singh]] that "''[[Sanskara (Hinduism)|Sanskar]]'' should be instilled in girls to prevent incidents of rape".<ref name="NH">{{cite news |title=Hathras case: Why are 'such' girls found dead in cane & millet fields, asks BJP leader Ranjeet Srivastava |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/hathras-case-why-are-such-girls-found-dead-in-cane-and-millet-fields-asks-bjp-leader-ranjeet-srivastava |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020 |agency=IANS |work=[[National Herald]]}}</ref>

The [[United Nations]] in India expressed concerns over gender based violence. In the statement they mentioned that, "it is essential that authorities ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice speedily and families are empowered to seek timely justice, social support, counselling, healthcare and rehabilitation".<ref name="UN India">{{cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=Hathras, Balrampur reminders of risk of violence disadvantaged women face, says UN|work=ThePrint|publisher=The Print|agency=PTI|url=https://theprint.in/india/hathras-balarampur-reminders-of-risk-of-violence-disadvantaged-women-face-says-un/517215/|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>

On 30 September, around 5,000 [[sanitation worker]]s in Agra, who belong to the [[Valmiki caste|Valmiki community]], went on a strike to demand justice for the victim.<ref>{{Cite news|last=A|first=Divya|date=5 October 2020|title=Seeking justice for Hathras victim: Over 5,000 safai karamcharis on strike in Agra|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/seeking-justice-for-hathras-victim-over-5000-safai-karamcharis-on-strike-in-agra-6703077/|access-date=5 October 2020|quote=According to corporation officials, the Valmiki community gave a call for a strike on September 30, after which 5,000 of its members, employed as sweepers, garbage collectors and garbage van drivers refused to report to work across the city.}}</ref> Protestors in [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 2 October.<ref name="resignation">{{cite news |title=Hathras gang rape, Hundreds gather at Jantar Mantar, demand Yogi Adityanath's resignation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hathras-gang-rape-hundreds-join-protest-at-jantar-mantar/article32753450.ece |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=2 October 2020 |language=en-IN}}</ref> However, the protest in [[India Gate]] on 1 October was rejected under the [[Section 144]] of [[CrPC]].<ref name="Protest">{{cite news |title=Hathras Case: As Protest Planned at India Gate, Section 144 Imposed |url=https://thewire.in/government/hathras-case-as-protest-planned-at-india-gate-section-144-imposed |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Wire |date=2 October 2020}}</ref> On 9 October 2020, various dalit organizations called a [[Bandh]] which halted normal life in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref>{{cite news | agency=PTI | title=Bandh call by Dalit groups against Hathras incident hits normal life in parts of Punjab | website=The Hindu | date=2020-10-10 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bandh-call-by-dalit-groups-against-hathras-incident-hits-normal-life-in-parts-of-punjab/article32821206.ece | access-date=2020-10-12}}</ref> [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] workers organized protests against Yogi Adityanath in the different parts of country.<ref>{{cite web | author=Murali | title=BSP demands ouster of Yogi government | work=Mysuru Today | date=2020-10-03 | url=https://citytoday.news/bsp-demands-ouster-of-yogi-government/ | access-date=2020-10-12}}{{bsn|date=October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/oct/01/hathras-dalit-gang-rape-bsp-seeks-capital-punishment-for-accused-2204419.html |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |title=Hathras Dalit gang rape: BSP seeks capital punishment for accused |date=1 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Doaba shuts over 'atrocities' against Dalits | work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]]| date=11 October 2020 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/doaba-shuts-over-‘atrocities’-against-dalits-153967 |access-date=12 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://jobsvacancy.in/bsp-demonstrated-at-collectorate-to-protest-against-atrocities-and-atrocities-on-dalits/ |title=BSP demonstrated at Collectorate to protest against atrocities and atrocities on Dalits |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=jobsvacancy.in}}{{bsn|reason=All news on jobsvacancy.in is generated from a news website RSS feed.|date=October 2020}}</ref> Indian students, professors and scholars staged a protest in [[United Kingdom]] in memory of the victims.<ref name="Oxford">{{cite news |last1=Canton |first1=Naomi |title=Oxford students issue solidarity statement and stage protests condemning UP government in wake of Hathras incident - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/oxford-students-issue-solidarity-statement-and-stage-protests-condemning-up-government-in-wake-of-hathras-incident/articleshow/78541529.cms |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |agency=TNN |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |date=8 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Protests were staged in the [[United States|United States of America]], particularly in [[Times Square]], [[Headquarters of the United Nations]], [[Michigan]] and [[Philadelphia]], against the Indian government.<ref name="Protests at UN">{{cite news |title=Protests at UN HQ over police apathy in Hathras |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/protests-at-un-hq-over-police-apathy-in-hathras/articleshow/78510346.cms |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |agency=TNN |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |date=6 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[B. R. Ambedkar]] followers in the parts of [[South America]], [[North America]], [[Middle East]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] demanded justice for the victim.<ref name="justice">{{cite news |last1=Basant |first1=Mohanty |title=Students, teachers demand safety and justice for Hathras family |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hathras-rape-case-cry-to-ensure-family-safety/cid/1793976 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]] |date=6 October 2020}}</ref>

==Trial==
On 19 December 2020, CBI filed a [[chargesheet]] in a special court in Hathras, invoking gang rape and murder charges along with charges under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, against the four accused.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hathras-case-cbi-charges-four-with-gang-rape-murder/articleshow/79806505.cms |title=Hathras case: CBI charges four with gang rape, murder |first1=Anuja |last1=Jaiswal |first2=Pathikrit |last2=Chakraborty |date=1 December 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> CBI also mentioned lapses on part of UP Police that include delay in recording the victim's statement in writing and her subsequent medical examination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/did-up-police-try-to-cover-up-hathras-case-what-cbi-chargesheet-says-2341748|title=Did UP Police Try To Cover Up Hathras Case? What CBI Chargesheet Says|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>  The CBI reportedly found a record of a total of 115 calls exchanged between the victim and the accused from October 2019 to March 2020.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-case-accused-was-frustrated-after-victim-ignored-him-says-cbi-charge-sheet-1751746-2020-12-21 |title=Hathras case: Accused was frustrated after victim ignored him, says CBI charge sheet|date=21 December 2020 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

===Verdict===

On 2 March 2023, the Hathras district court, in its decision, acquitted three of the four accused, Ramu, Luvkush, and Ravi. The fourth, Sandeep, was convicted for the offences of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (IPC Section 304) and provisions under the [[Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989|SC/ST Act]], but not for rape and murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/hathras-rape-murder-victim-brother-on-acquittal-verdict#read-more|title='Her Soul Will Never Rest Now': Hathras Victim's Brother After Court Verdict}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theprint.in/judiciary/no-confirmation-of-rape-woman-may-have-been-tutored-what-special-st-sc-court-said-in-hathras-case/1417838/|title='No confirmation of rape, woman may have been tutored': What special ST-SC court said in Hathras case}}</ref> The defence and the prosecution have both appealed against the verdict in the [[Allahabad High Court]]. The Uttar Pradesh Police has been criticized by the CBI for inaction and delay in collecting samples as well as other evidence, eventually botching up the investigation, which led to the acquittal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theprint.in/india/politics-of-showing-dalits-their-place-hathras-victims-family-slams-acquittals-of-3-thakur-men/1412127/|title='Politics of showing Dalits their place' — Hathras victim's family slams acquittals of 3 Thakur men}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Law}}
* [[2012 Delhi gang rape and murder]]
* [[2014 Badaun gang rape allegations]]
* [[2017 Unnao rape case]]
* 2020 [[Balrampur gang rape]]
* [[2024 Kolkata rape and murder case]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=Hathras rape case, protests LIVE updates|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-rape-case-protests-live-updates-congress-uttar-pradesh-police-yogi-adityanath-6703353/|access-date=5 October 2020}}
* [https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/story-hathras-gang-rape-victim-died-in-safdarjung-hospital-3524758.html हाथरस में दलित महिला से गैंगरेप के बाद हैवानों ने काट दी थी जीभ, 15 दिनों के बाद हार गई जिंदगी से जंग]
* [https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-uttar-pradesh-news-hathras-gangrape-victim-death-case-priyanka-gandhi-attacks-cm-yogi-adityanath-on-women-safety-bsp-supremo-mayawati-demands-justice-2846101 Hathras Gangrape Victim Death Case: Priyanka Gandhi attacks CM Yogi Adityanath on women safety, Mayawati demands justice]
* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/hathras-gang-rape-survivor-who-was-battling-for-life-in-delhi-hospital-dies/articleshow/78377695.cms Hathras gang rape survivor who was battling for life in Delhi Hospital dies]
* [https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/aligarh/gang-assault-victim-in-hathras-dies-in-delhi-safdarjung-hospital-during-treatment Hathras Gangrape: हाथरस में सामूहिक दुष्कर्म की शिकार युवती की मौत, इलाज के दौरान सफदरजंग अस्पताल में दम तोड़ा]
* [https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-gangrape-case-19-year-old-woman-from-up-dies-in-delhi-hospital-temp-1726469-2020-09-29 Hathras gangrape case: 19-year-old woman from UP dies in Delhi hospital]
* [https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/story-police-confessed-to-rape-with-the-woman-case-of-hathras-gangrap-3523612.html हाथरस गैंगरेप प्रकरण : पुलिस ने विवेचना में माना युवती के साथ हुई दरिंदगी, दो पन्नों की रिपोर्ट में लिखी दरिंदगी की दास्तां ]
* [https://www.firstpost.com/india/19-year-old-dalit-girl-in-icu-after-gangrape-assault-in-ups-hathras-one-accused-arrested-8853721.html 19-year-old Dalit girl in ICU after gangrape, assault in UP's Hathras; one accused arrested]
* [https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/30/hathras-rape-case-smriti-irani-is-silent-drama-queen-says-mahila-congress.html Hathras rape case: Smriti Irani is ‘silent’, ‘drama queen’ says Mahila Congress]
{{Rape in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hathras gang rape and murder, 2020}}
[[Category:2020 murders in India]]
[[Category:2020s in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Gang rape in India]]
[[Category:Hathras|2020 gang rape]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against women]]
[[Category:Kidnappings in India]]
[[Category:Kidnapping in the 2020s]]
[[Category:Murder in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:September 2020 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:September 2020 in India]]
[[Category:Femicide in India]]
[[Category:Hate crimes in India]]
[[Category:Deaths by strangulation]]