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In the suo moto case pertaining to the Hathras gang rape matter (In re: Right to decent & dignified last rights/cremation), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Allahabad High Court that its probe into the role of the local police in the case has been concluded and evidence collected has been sent to the Head Office.

The case was being heard before the division bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Jaspreet Singh. CBI further told the court that as per guidance provided, the matter shall be processed further and it is hoped that some result would be forthcoming in another 10-15 days.

To this, the bench directed Advocate Anurag Kumar Singh, appearing for the CBI, to "ensure that a report in this regard from the concerned officials of the CBI is filed in sealed cover, at the appropriate stage."

Adv. Singh was responding to Court's earlier query as to whether its probe into the offence is still pending even after filing of the chargesheet. If it was so, Court had asked the CBI to inform about the stage of such investigation and the time that it will take to complete the same.

On October 1, 2020, the High Court took suo moto cognizance of the issue of allegedly forceful cremation of the gang-rape victim at 2 am by the Uttar Pradesh Police instead of handing over her body to the family.

Accordingly, the factum of a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) was registered under the Court’s order on the same date and the litigation is going on since then.

Court has appointed  Senior counsel Jaideep Narain Mathur as the amicus curiae in the matter and Advocate Seema Kushwaha appears on behalf of the family of the victim. 

Case Title: In Re: Right to decent and dignified last rites/ cremation