Seven Cops Suspended For Being Unable To Save Unnao Rape Victim Who Was Burnt Alive

Taking cognisance of the death of the Unnao rape victim, who succumbed to burn injuries at a Delhi hospital, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended seven policemen for negligence of duty.

"Ajay Kumar Tripathi, SHO of Unnao's Bihar police station, along with six other police personnel, has been suspended, for negligence during duty in connection with the death of rape victim," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi told PTI.

The last rites of the victim were performed yesterday in front of the entire village. Her body was not burnt, as is the Hindu ritual, but buried. Her family said that they won¡¯t burn the body because ¡°there¡¯s nothing left to burn.¡±

The woman battled for two days for her life after five men including two who she said had raped her last year -- burned her alive on Thursday. She was on her way to a court hearing at the time. The accused were out on bail.

She was laid to rest in the fields belonging to her family, where the mausoleum (mazaar) of her grandparents is situated.

The last rites took place after the state government assured the victim's family of round-the-clock security and a job for her sister and a license to hold arms for self defence for her brother. "Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana we will provide two houses to the family. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits, Mukul Meshram, Commissioner of Lucknow Police, told ANI.

The family was earlier adamant and said they will not cremate the body until chief minister Yogi Adityanath visited them and promised action. The 23-year-old's body reached the village on Saturday. Her sister also demanded that she be given a government job, ANI reported.

The victim¡¯s father had said, "We will bury her. I won¡¯t light her pyre. My beloved daughter is already burnt." The family has decided to bury her in the fields on the outskirts of their village on Sunday, he told The Times of India.

On Saturday, Labour Minister Swami Prasad Maurya along with BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, ere heckled by protesters on Saturday as they reached the victim¡¯s village. The Uttar Pradesh police used force to disperse the crowd, which consisted of leaders from other political parties too.

The protesters, who were shouting ¡®Vaapas Jao, Vaapas Jao¡¯ (go back) and raising slogans against the state government, sustained injuries.