Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targets UP government over Ghazipur rape and murder case, cites "pattern" of crimes against women

In his post on X, Gandhi wrote, "In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the rape and brutal murder of a daughter from the Vishwakarma community--and then threats and violence to stop the family from filing an FIR."

He further referred to multiple past incidents and said, "Hathras, Kathua, Unnao, and now Ghazipur--this is a pattern. The daughter from Manipur breathed her last while waiting for justice."

Alleging systemic bias, he said, "Every time, the same face--the victim is Dalit, backwards, tribal, poor. Every time, the same truth--protection for the criminal, persecution for the victim. Every time, the same silence--from those in power who should have spoken."

Questioning governance, he added, "In a country and state where parents have to beg even to get an FIR filed for their daughter, that country's government has no moral right to remain in power."

Gandhi also demanded strict action and investigation, stating, "Action must be taken against the guilty police officers, the family must get protection--a high-level investigation must happen, and justice must be delivered immediately."

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, he said, "Mr Modi, Mr Chief Minister, give your answer--why are daughters so unsafe in your rule?"

Concluding his post, he said, "In such circumstances, justice isn't begged for--it is snatched. And we will snatch it."

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged rising crimes against women in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the Prime Minister's grand statements about women are "mere show".

Citing a recent minor girl death case in Ghazipur, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always oppressed the victim using its full power wherever women faced injustice.

A minor girl who went missing on April 14 from a village in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur was found dead near a bridge over the Ganga River on April 15.

In a post on X, the Wayanad MP said, "In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the reluctance to file a case in the murder of a girl, followed by threats to the victim's family and chaos spread by the powerful, shows that atrocities against women in the state have reached their peak. In BJP rule, this has now become the unspoken law: whenever any woman faces atrocity, the victim herself is further tormented."

She further criticised the Prime Minister, alleging that his statements on women's safety lack substance.

"The Prime Minister's grand statements about women are mere show. Be it Unnao, Hathras, Prayagraj, or Ghazipur, wherever women have faced injustice, the BJP has stood with the oppressor against the victim, using its full power. Women across the country are witnessing this reign of darkness," she added.

Meanwhile, the police had arrested the main accused and launched a detailed investigation into the incident.

Speaking to reporters here, Additional Director General of police (ADG) Varanasi Zone Piyush Mordia said, "On the night of April 14-15, a child went missing from Kateria village in Ghazipur. Her body was discovered the following morning, around 5:30 AM, near the Ganga River bridge."

Police informed that an FIR was filed and the main accused was arrested based on information provided by her relatives.

Further investigation into the case is currently ongoing. (ANI)