Rahul Gandhi to meet family of murdered Dalit girl

Barmer, April 13:Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will on Wednesday, April 13 meet the family of the 17-year-old Dalit girl who was allegedly raped and murdered last month in Bikaner even as her father reiterated his demand for a CBI probe into the matter.

Gandhi arrived in a plane and landed at Uttarlai airforce station from where he along with the PCC President Sachin Pilot and former MP Harish Chaudhary left for the girl's village, which is nearly 100 kms from here.

After meeting the family, Gandhi will leave for Jaipur to address a Dalit sammelan. Sitting outside his single-room house along with other members of the family and locals, the father, Mahendra Ram, told reporters, "The government's attitude is apathetic and police is also trying to dilute the case. It was a murder but police is saying it was suicide. I have no faith in the investigation of the local police therefore I demand a CBI inquiry for an impartial probe."

"I want justice for my daughter and that will be only through impartial investigation. The local police is diluting the case, the state government has neglected our demand but Rahul Gandhi listened to our demands and he is arriving here," he said, adding, he expects Gandhi to raise the issue.

45-year-old Ram said he took the decision to allow his daughter to study as she was an intelligent student. The girl, who was persuading BSTC (a teacher training course) in a private educational institute, was found dead in a water tank on March 30.

In the intervening night of March 28-29, she had been found in the room of physical trainer and instructor Vijendra Singh by the hostel warden.

Singh was arrested after the girl was found dead. The hostel warden and principal were also arrested for not informing the police when she was found in the instructor's room.

Congress leaders have supported the family's demand for a CBI inquiry and held the BJP government responsible in such cases against Dalits.

PTI