Ayodhya: Three men including a Dalit man have been arrested in connection with the brutal rape and murder of a 22-year-old Dalit woman whose body was discovered in a canal in Ayodhya on Saturday. The victim, who had been missing since Thursday, was found disrobed, and her family members reported horrific details of the crime, alleging her eyes were gouged out, and her body bore deep wounds, fractures, and multiple cuts.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Hari Ram Kori, Vijay Sahu, and Digvijay Singh. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raj Karan Nayar confirmed the arrests, stating that the accused committed the heinous crime under the influence of alcohol before disposing of the victim’s body in a desolate canal near her village.
The discovery of the young woman’s body outside Sahnawa village sent shockwaves through the community. Family members recounted the gruesome details, claiming her eyes were missing, and her limbs were tied with ropes. Villagers who assisted in recovering and transporting the body noted a fractured leg. The victim’s elder sister and other women present at the scene were reportedly traumatized by the horrific condition of the body.
Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari stated that a missing person report was filed on Friday after the family lodged a complaint. With the recovery of the body, the police are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm the allegations of gang rape and provide further details about the circumstances of the death.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage and political condemnation. Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party was visibly distraught during a press conference on Sunday, breaking down in tears and vowing to resign if justice is not served. He expressed his deep sorrow and questioned how such a horrific crime could occur. “Let me go to Delhi—I will raise this in Lok Sabha and bring it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention. If I fail to get justice, I will resign. This is our collective failure. How will history remember us?” said an inconsolable Prasad.
Prominent political figures like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also condemned the incident, calling it “inhuman” and “shameful.” Rahul Gandhi criticized the administration’s alleged inaction, stating that the victim’s life could potentially have been saved if the family’s pleas for help had been heeded. He further criticized the BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh for the increasing atrocities against Dalits. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these sentiments, highlighting the police’s apparent lack of action despite the victim being missing for three days. She emphasized the cruelty of the incident and stated that such incidents shame all of humanity.
In response to the outcry, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the case, suggesting the involvement of Samajwadi Party members in the crime. “An incident has occurred in Ayodhya, where a girl was harassed…It’s likely that a Samajwadi Party person is involved,” CM Yogi said. He stressed the importance of respecting women and ensuring their safety.
The investigation into this horrific crime is ongoing, and the police have assured the public that they are committed to bringing all the perpetrators to justice.
