The All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) on Thursday ( demanded a reopening of the probe into the 2020 Hathras gangrape and death case, citing revelations made in a recently released documentary, Hathras 16 Days, which it claimed exposed “systemic failures” and an alleged cover-up by the Uttar Pradesh administration and police.

Addressing a press conference, AIMC president Alka Lamba alleged that the documentary raised “serious and disturbing questions” over the conduct of the police, district administration and the State government during the investigation.

Recalling the case, Ms. Lamba said the Dalit victim was assaulted on September 14, 2020, and died at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on September 29. She reiterated allegations that the victim’s body was cremated by authorities in the early hours of September 30 without the consent or presence of her family.

‘Evidence compromised’

“The documentary shows that evidence was not collected for eight days. The victim was bathed and cleaned before medical examination,” Ms. Lamba said, alleging that crucial forensic evidence was compromised.

She further claimed that the documentary carried statements from a gynaecologist and a former senior police officer indicating delays and lapses in evidence collection. “The gynaecologist believed sexual assault had taken place, but her statement and the victim’s dying declaration were not presented before the court, weakening the case,” she said.

Referring to remarks attributed to former Uttar Pradesh ADGP (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar in the documentary, Ms. Lamba said it suggested that timely medical examination and preservation of evidence could have strengthened the prosecution.

Questioning the circumstances surrounding the cremation, the Congress leader asked, “At whose behest and under whose pressure was the victim’s body doused with petrol in the presence of senior officials?”

Take action: Lamba

Claiming that three of the four accused were acquitted because of a weakened investigation, Ms. Lamba demanded action against officials allegedly responsible for delays and mishandling of evidence.

“The system failed the victim,” she said, adding that the victim’s family continued to live “under fear and pressure” and deserved security, compensation and promised employment support. She also accused the BJP government of failing to curb crimes against women in Uttar Pradesh.