Smt. Brinda Karat, Member, Polit Bureau of CPI(M) has written the following letter to Shri Amit Shah, Minister for Home Affairs, Government of India on the suspected rape and murder of a dalit child in the capital.  

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Shri Amit Shah ji,

This is to draw your attention and request urgent action in the suspected rape and murder of a nine year old dalit child in the Purana Nangal gaon, in the Delhi Cantonment area of the Capital. This occurred at around 5-5.30 pm on Sunday August 1. 2021. I met the mother of the child today along with my colleagues Nathu Parshad and Asha Sharma (Delhi CPIM Secretariat members) and others. We also met many residents of the colony. Although four people have been arrested in this case, the role of the police in Sadar Thana Cantonment area  is shocking to say the least.

The child was forcibly cremated by the criminals when the mother was in a state of trauma and shock. The community is also enraged because according to the traditional custom, young girls are buried not cremated. Therefore the lie being spread that the mother agreed to the cremation is criminal enough and reminiscent of what happened in the Hathras case. There the police themselves cremated the victim. Here the police refused to act in time. Secondly Instead of helping the family who were in a state of shock, the police detained them in the thana for several hours. This is inhuman and totally illegal. Third, the family were not given the FIR until there were protests from the community. Also the police did not use the correct sections including those under POSCO, the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act.

The crime of the child is that she belongs to a poor, dalit, homeless family. She went to get drinking water from the cooler in the cremation ground. Her family does not have a roof over their head, her parents are unemployed and get occasional work as sweepers or rag pickers. She was the only child, born late to her parents. She was all the more precious. Her murder is a crime many times over. And added to that is the intimidation and illegal detention of her parents. People in the area say it is because powerful elements in the area want to protect and save the criminals. It is also to be noted that there were two rapes earlier in the same area.

It is indeed regrettable that you have not intervened yet in this case although the Delhi police are directly under your Ministry. My request is that you kindly ensure that justice is done. The parents cannot be ever compensated for the loss of their beloved daughter. But the Government is duty-bound to ensure them financial support. I also request you to take immediate action against the police personnel involved.  The message of justice for the child must go out loud and strong.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Sd/-

Brinda Karat