NCW seeks explanation from UP Police on urgency to cremate body of Hathras gang rape victim

A "disturbed" National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday sought a report from Uttar Pradesh Police for the haste in which the body of a 19-year-old gang rape victim from Uttar Pradesh's Hathras was cremated.

Expressing shock at her death after fighting for life for two weeks, the NCW said the incident underlines the "grim state of women" in the society.

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It said it has come across a "disturbing report" on police officials cremating her body in the middle of the night without the permission and presence of her family members.

"The Commission has now written to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh seeking an explanation on the urgency to cremate the body of the victim in the middle of the night that too in the absence of her family," a statement said.

The NCW has asked the police to send a reply on the same at the earliest.

Quoting reports, it said the victim’s body was cremated at 2:30 am by the police without the presence of any family member. The victim’s family had reportedly appealed to the District Magistrate for taking her body home for performing the last rites. However, the police went ahead with the cremation while most of her family members were away.

The NCW had earlier taken suo motu of the gang rape and an Action Taken Report was received from the Uttar Pradesh police.