SP leader says state took prompt action; truth will emerge in Badaun case

NEW DELHI: Badaun MP Dharmendra Yadav said the truth about the twin rape-murder would demolish the theories being bandied around about the case.
Amid the brouhaha over the gory crime that has shaken the country, Yadav told TOI, “The picture is very different from what has been presented since the case broke out. Those who have been screaming the most are actually the guilty party.”
Yadav said the investigation was pointing to a different reality than that projected by the media.“The director general of police’s opinion is that what is written in the FIR is not correct. I want all scientific methods like DNA test to be used to come to a determination. In the coming days, it will be clear how the crime was carried out and the reasons behind it,” he said.
According to him, the state acted with alacrity, arresting all five accused within three days, terminating the services of two policemen who were also accused, granting fast-track trial and also recommending CBI inquiry into the case. “We gave more than the victim’s family demanded and yet we were criticized non-stop,” he said.
He indicated that Uttar Pradesh was targeted as part of a plan. “The home ministry sent a letter to the state asking why the SC/ST Atrocities Act was not invoked in the case even though the victims do not belong to the Dalit community. Either the Centre’s intelligence is weak or its intention is motivated. In either case, it is unfortunate,” he said.
He said when it was pointed out to minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju that crime rate was higher in other states, the latter said he did not want to go into the statistics. “The central minister does not want to go into the statistics because they favour UP,” he complained.
Yadav said the accused should be given the strongest punishment. “A criminal has no caste or religion,” he said, referring to the accused who belong to the Yadav community.
According to him, the crime situation in UP was within control given that the state has one-fifth of the country’s population.