New Delhi: AP Singh, the lawyer of the four rapists accused in 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case, who will be defending the four men accused in the Hathras case, has claimed that it is a clear case of honour killing.
AP Singh said this after Sandeep Singh one of the accused wrote a letter to the Hathras Superintendent of Police claiming that they all are innocent and the victim's brother is the main accused.
Regarding the letter, defence lawyer AP Singh has said that it should be included in the investigation as the letter claims that she was killed after his brother thrashed her for having an affair with Sandeep Singh.
Hathras case: Lawyer AP Singh calls the case an ‘Honour Killing’ Advocate AP Singh said that the police investigating the case had recovered some evidence from the spot which showed that not only the woman's mother was present at the crime scene but some other people of the village were also present. "The police are recording their statements. It will be clear from their statements what exactly happened that day," he said.
He alleged that politicians are trying to politicise the matter but it should be seen as a crime and it should be fairly investigated.
The victim gave a statement at an Aligarh hospital that she was “gang-raped” by the four. Following the statement, the police arrested the four and sent them to Aligarh jail on 26 September. The woman died at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital three days later.
Whereas, AP Singh said that the victim in her statement said 'Sandeep' but she didn't make clear which Sandeep she is referring to as her brother's name is also Sandeep. "It is a matter of honour killing and police should consider the request of accused Sandeep Singh and get him justice," he said.
Read: Nirbhaya lawyers face to face again in brutal Hathras case
"Police is recording statements of villagers and of all those who were present at the crime scene. Soon the culprits will be found," AP Singh said.
Prime accused Sandeep wrote the letter to Hathras SP. It carries the thumbprints of Luv Kush, Ram Kumar and Ravi. The SP received the mail late on Thursday evening. In it, Sandeep alleged that he and the woman were “friends” who often spoke over the “phone”.
“I was arrested on 20 September under a false case. My relatives Ram and Ravi were also arrested in this case along with a local, Luv Kush. The woman (victim) was my friend. We would meet each other and also talk over the phone. Her family was against our friendship,” said the letter.
On 14 September, accused Sandeep said he had met the woman in the fields, where her mother and brother were present too. He alleged that he “left the place when she asked him to do so”. He claimed he went on to feed his animals. Later, villagers told Sandeep that the woman’s family beat her up because she was friends with him, he claimed in the letter.
“Her mother and brother beat her up. She sustained severe injuries which later caused her death. I have never hit the woman or done anything wrong. Her mother and brother registered a false case against me and three others and sent us to jail. We are innocent. Please investigate this matter and get us justice,” said Sandeep in the letter.
The woman’s family, meanwhile, has said the allegations and the letter are a way to defame the family.
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