Tight security at Hathras village. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)
The Allahabad High Court will monitor the CBI probe into the Hathras case — in which a 19-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gangraped and murdered last month — and the girl's family and witnesses will now be provided CRPF security, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.
The court, which was hearing petitions seeking an SC-monitored CBI or SIT probe and transfer of trial from UP to Delhi, said it would be appropriate for the CBI to complete its investigation and a transfer of trial may be discussed if the need arises in future.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and also including Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramaian, noted that the state government had taken sufficient steps to provide security to the victim's family and witnesses but said they should be given CRPF protection “to address the normal perception and pessimism” in a crime of such a nature.
The bench said the HC had already registered a suo motu PIL in the matter.
“…it is noticed that the High Court has adequately delved into the aspects relating to the case to secure fair investigation and has also…
