New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) in the Unnao case, in which bodies of two minor Dalit girls were found in their family field on Wednesday, along with a third girl, also a minor, in serious condition.
According to the FIR, the three girls had left their house to bring fodder for cattle but did not return for a long time. The family and other residents of the village set out to search for them and found them lying in a field, tied up with their dupattas.
The family members also noticed “some white substance coming out of their mouth”, the FIR stated.
The girls were picked up from the spot and taken to a nursing home in Unnao where the doctor reportedly denied to check them, the FIR stated. Then, they were taken to a government hospital where the doctor declared that two of them were brought dead, while the third girl was taken to a district Unnao hospital for treatment. The third sister is still on ventilator support at the hospital.
The two girls who were found dead were aged 13 and 16, while the third girl was 17 years old. The two older girls were sisters, while the 13-year-old was their cousin.
The father, who lodged the FIR, has requested for an investigation into the case.
According to India Today, a preliminary post-mortem report conducted by a panel of three doctors in Unnao confirms it to be a case of poisoning.
The girls’ family has been at the police station since last night. However, the police waited for the post-mortem report and filed an FIR only on Thursday.
Residents of the Baburha village in Asoha have been on dharna since last night.
According to the Indian Express, the police suspected it to be a case of poisoning. There were no signs of struggle at the site and no injury marks found prima facie on the girls, according to the newspaper. However, the girls’ brother claimed they had been found with their hands and feet tied up.
Lucknow range inspector general Laxmi Singh told IE that the police were yet to confirm if the girls were tied up. “The brother has given a statement saying this, but we can’t say anything because the bodies were removed before the police reached the spot,” Singh said.
Unnao superintendent of police Sureshrao A. Kulkarni said there was “some white substance coming out of their mouth” and doctors have said there were symptoms of poisoning. “We are recording statements of all the people concerned and an in-depth probe is being conducted. Necessary action is being taken,” he said.
Several leaders have demanded that the surviving girl should be shifted to AIIMS Delhi.
To ensure justice in Unnao case we demand
1. Post mortem of 2 deceased should be conducted at AIIMS, Delhi with a panel of Doctors including from SC/ST community.
2. Post mortem should be videographed to avoid any discrepancies
3. Survivor should immediately be shifted to AIIMS.— Chandra Shekhar Aazad (@BhimArmyChief) February 18, 2021
उत्तर प्रदेश के सभी लोगों से मेरी अपील है की जब तक उन्नाव की दुर्घटना की पीड़ित बहनों के आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार नहीं किया जाता, तब तक उनकी लाश का स्वीकार न करें, न्याय के लिए दबाव बनाएं। एक बहन की अच्छे से अच्छे अस्पताल में चिकित्सा की जाए। #Save_Unnao_Ki_Beti pic.twitter.com/HYdvg22y3Z
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 17, 2021
Note: This is a developing story and details will be added as they become available.
(With PTI inputs)