Three Arrested in Ayodhya for Rape and Murder of Dalit Woman, Political Storm Erupts
A tragic case of rape and murder in Ayodhya has sparked outrage, with police arresting three men for the brutal crime. The 22-year-old Dalit woman was reported missing on Thursday, and her unclothed body was found dumped in a canal on Saturday, sending shockwaves across the region.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Senior Superintendent of Police Raj Karan Nayyar confirmed the arrests of Hari Ram Kori, Vijay Sahu, and Digvijay Singh, who allegedly committed the crime under the influence of alcohol. The three men, who worked as house painters, confessed to the assault and murder, Nayyar said. One of the accused, Digvijay Singh, also worked as a security guard at a private college.
“They were intoxicated and committed the act. Police teams are interrogating them,” Nayyar stated. The investigation, led by four police teams, was based on CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and local informers’ tips.
While authorities have found no political links to the accused, the victim’s family has alleged horrific brutality, claiming her eyes were gouged out, bones were broken, and deep wounds covered her body.
Political Outrage Ahead of Milkipur Bypoll
The incident comes just days before the Milkipur bypoll on February 5, leading opposition parties to slam the Yogi Adityanath government over the deteriorating law and order situation.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling BJP of failing to protect marginalized communities. He referred to the ‘PDA’ (Pichde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) community, saying, “Atrocities against them are on the rise under this government.”
SP’s Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad, who met the victim’s grieving family, was visibly shaken. Speaking at a press conference, he broke down in tears, saying, “I failed to save her. I will raise this issue before Prime Minister Modi in the Lok Sabha. If justice is denied, I will resign.”
Reacting to Prasad’s emotional statement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed it as “theatrics”, while claiming that “criminals linked to the Samajwadi Party” would be found involved in the crime.
Congress Calls for Justice
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condemned the incident, blaming BJP’s rule for the rise in atrocities against Dalits.
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, wrote, “Had the administration responded when the woman’s family first reported her missing, her life could have been saved.” He accused BJP of failing Dalits and Bahujans, saying, “How many more families must suffer before justice is done?”
Priyanka Gandhi called the crime “barbaric and spine-chilling,” adding, “The girl was missing for three days, yet the police did nothing. In BJP’s ‘Jungle Raj,’ the voices of Dalits, tribals, and the poor go unheard.”
A Cry for Justice
As political blame games intensify, the victim’s family continues to demand swift justice. While the police claim to have arrested the culprits, questions remain over the initial police inaction and the state’s commitment to ensuring safety for Dalit women.
With the Milkipur bypoll around the corner, this case has turned into a flashpoint for political and social debates, putting the Yogi Adityanath government under immense pressure to deliver justice swiftly.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
