Unnao Dalit woman was strangled: Police

The body of the woman, missing for over two months, was exhumed from the plot next to an ashram on Thursday. The plot and ashram are owned the family of late Fateh Bahadur Singh, who was a minister in the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government. His son Rajol Singh (45) was arrested on January 24 in connection with the case, hours after the woman’s mother tried to immolate herself in front of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s vehicle at the party office in Lucknow. The local station house officer has been suspended for “laxity” in the probe. Police have said that the woman and Rajol were in a relationship and but later developed differences.

While the woman went missing on December 8, the case for kidnapping was lodged on January 10. The victim’s mother has alleged that police refused to file a case saying that her daughter is an adult and “may have eloped with someone”.

Unnao Additional Superintendent of Police Shashi Shekhar Singh on Friday said, “The cause of death is anti-mortem injuries and strangulation. Her trachea was found to be broken. and she had two injuries on her head and one on the neck. While the post mortem report says she was killed around 45 days ago, the corroborative evidence we have makes it clear that she was killed on December 8 — the day she went missing. I can’t say anything on whether she was raped or not. For that, we will need to wait for more forensic evidence.” He said the murder charge will be also invoked against Rajol Singh (45) and his arrested aide Suraj Singh (26).

The family on Friday refused to cremate the body until their demands were met. After assurances from administration and police officials, the family performed the last rites at 5pm. The woman is survived by her parents and a brother.

The woman’s father told The Indian Express, “The last rites got delayed because of some issues. We were not content with the post mortem findings. The report said she was killed 45 days ago, though she went missing two months ago. Our issue was where was she for 18 days. Was she raped? We were demanding that the correct findings come out.”

He said, “We also demanded a job for our son, a house and security for the family because the accused is a local goon. We were promised that these issues will be addressed and were told that we will get Rs25 lakh as compensation and a pucca house.”

The ASP said that the family has been promised Rs 8.25 lakh in compensation as per rules, and a contractual job to a family member. “The formalities for the compensation are underway. For job, the SP and DM will ensure that a family member gets a job in the district on contract basis. We will also provide them security and take action to ensure that the case goes to a fast-track court. A house will be given to them under some government scheme,” added Shashi Shekhar Singh.

Accused Rajol, booked under kidnapping charge, owns several properties and a gas agency in Unnao. The body was exhumed after his aide Suraj told police that it was buried in a plot next to the ashram.

The ashram in-charge said the property is owned by a trust run by late Fateh Bahadur’s family. Asked if Rajol has any political links, the in-charge said, “He is not in politics and was never part of any party.”

Fateh Bahadur died in 2016 due to some health complications and was the chairman of the UP Cooperative Bank between 2012 and 2017 — a post equivalent to minister of state in the UP government.

The victim’s father said they had gone to meet Akhilesh for help as the police and administration were not cooperating. “We knew that Rajol Singh is not in the SP or any other party, but we thought Akhileshji might help us because of the father’s connection with the SP.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya blamed Akhilesh for not listening to the mother of the deceased. “Mr Akhilesh Yadav, the body of a Dalit woman was found in the farm of an SP leader. When the mother of the woman begged in front of your car, you didn’t listen to her. You gave patronage to the SP leader. In the new SP, you forgive all heinous crimes of SP people. We will not leave any stone unturned to ensure a fair probe and punishment to accused and justice to the family of the victim,” he tweeted.

The SP said the accused has no connection with the party and blamed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the woman’s murder. The party tweeted: “Under BJP rule, a daughter faces a heinous crime in Unnao. The CM is responsible for the murder of the Dalit daughter. The murder accused has no association with the SP. The government, which advertises ‘Mission Shakti’, did not hear the daughter’s cries. Condolences to the family of the deceased. The accused should face the strictest punishment.”

BSP chief Mayawati said: “The body of the young woman being found buried at a farm of an SP leader in Unnao is tragic and a serious matter. The family members had already raised suspicion on the SP leader. The state government must ensure justice to the family of the woman and take strict legal action against accused.”