New Delhi: The UP Government appointed a high powered three member SIT on Wednesday to investigate the gang raped and death of the 19 year old girl from Hathras. Later in the day, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the state government and the DGP, seeking a response within four weeks. The high power team led by Home Secretary Bhagwan Swaroop with DIG Chandra Prakash and IPS officer Poonamas as members, has been asked to submit its report within seven days, said government spokesperson.

The SIT arrived in Hathras in the evening. Mahila Congress national president Sushmita Dev, Delhi Mahila Congress president Amrita Dhawan, Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar took part in the protest. The Legal and Human Rights department of the Delhi Congress filed a petition before the National Human Rights Commission, seeking justice to the family of the deceased Dalit woman.

The police said an FIR under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act has been registered against the protesters as they violated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in force in the area and other restrictions regarding Covid-19.

There were protests in neighbouring Ghaziabad as well. Activists of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Akhil Bhartiya Balmiki Samaj staged protests in some areas of Ghaziabad, demanding justice for the Dalit woman.