Only One Convict In The Hathras Case Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

On Thursday, a special court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced Sandeep, the only convict in the Hathras case, in which a 19-year-old Dalit girl was murdered, to life imprisonment. Along with the sentence, the court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on Sandeep.

Earlier today, the court acquitted three other accused in the case, namely Ramu, Lavkush, and Ravi. Sandeep, however, was found guilty of the offense of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and for offenses under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

On September 14, 2020, a gang rape and attempted murder occurred in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, leading to the victim's hospitalization. Sadly, on September 29, she passed away due to her injuries at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital.

The victim's family was allegedly deprived of their right to perform her last rites when the UP Police and administration forcibly cremated her body without their consent or presence in the dead of night after her remains were brought to her native place.

On October 1, 2020, the Allahabad High Court took it upon itself to investigate the alleged forced cremation and gang rape of the victim. The court noted that the events leading up to the cremation had shocked its conscience.

On October 10, the High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI subsequently filed a charge sheet against all four accused men in December 2020.

During that time, numerous public interest litigations were filed before the Supreme Court. These largely sought an independent and monitored probe as well as witness protection, among other remedies