Unnao: The 23-year-old Unnao rape victim, who was allegedly burnt to death by her suspected rapists, was laid to rest at noon Sunday. The family decided to bury her instead of cremating her, as is customary for Hindus, because she had sustained 90 per cent burns in the assault and they didn’t wish to burn her further.
“We buried her next to my parents. The district magistrate has said he will build a solid structure on her grave and memorialise it,” the woman’s father told ThePrint.
Villagers from far-flung areas joined in for the funeral, either helping with the burial or as quiet participants. The expressions of the people alternated between shock and tears as the young woman’s body was brought out for a vigil.
Heavy police presence marked the woman’s final journey to the burial site.
The victim, all of 23 years old, was set ablaze Thursday, nine months after she was allegedly raped by Shivam and Shubham Trivedi, the prime suspects. The fire assault, allegedly carried out by the two cousins and three others, happened as she was on her way to meet her lawyer in Rae Bareli for the rape case. Shivam was released on bail just days before, on 30 November.
‘Kept waiting for Yogi before the burial’
The burial was earlier scheduled for early Sunday morning, as the body was brought home Saturday night at 9.10.
The family has been visited by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj, but they wanted a visit by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They waited for him to turn up for the burial, but he did not.
“We wanted a direct assurance from the CM, but he didn’t come. We kept waiting,” the father said.
“Why didn’t he come to meet us? It’s because we aren’t rich,” added another family member. “A poor man’s daughter isn’t important.”
Also read: Unnao woman’s family demands ‘Hyderabad-like justice’ for men who raped & burnt her alive
It is shameful that UP CM could not attend the funeral although their family waited….he will just come to ask for votes
Rest in peace.