New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to apprise it by October 8 on the steps taken to protect witnesses in the Hathras case.The apex court’s observation came while hearing a PIL by social activist Satyama Dubey and lawyers Vishal Thakre and Rudra Pratap Yadav .Terming the incident “horrible and extraordinary,” a bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said it will ensure that investigation is smooth in the case.Advocate Indira Jaising took up the issue of the protection of the victim’s family as well and asked that the trial be transferred from Uttar Pradesh.The Adityanath government has claimed in an affidavit that the issue of the 19-year-old Dalit woman dying of grievous injuries in a Delhi hospital on September 29, a fortnight after she was allegedly raped at her village by four upper caste Thakur men, has been used by “some sections” as a planned and deliberate attempt to foment caste and communal riots.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the UP government furthered this like and said: “Narratives after narratives being spread in Hathras case, this needs to be stopped.”“The CBI probe in Hathras case will ensure no vested interests will be able to create fake, false narrative with oblique motives,” Mehta told the court.Also read: Hathras: In Affidavit to SC, UP Govt Peddles Half Truths, Says Conspiracy Afoot to Malign ItThe state government told the top court that probe in Hathras case may be conducted by CBI under supervision of apex court.The victim was cremated in the dead of the night near her home on September 30. Her family alleged they were forced by the local police to hurriedly conduct her last rites. Local police officers, however, said the cremation was carried out “as per the wishes of the family”.The state government has already recommended a CBI probe in the matter and quoting FSL reports, it has denied the rape charge.
