Hathras Case

A 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly gang-raped and assaulted in September 2020, and died from her injuries roughly two weeks later at a Delhi hospital.

The victim, a young Dalit woman; her identity has been widely reported in domestic media but this archive follows the practice of not restating identifying details.

The state government later ordered a Special Investigation Team and the case was also examined by the CBI.

Uttar Pradesh police cremated the victim's body at night, reportedly without allowing her family to be present, a decision that drew sharp national condemnation.

The case proceeded to trial before a special court; reported trial outcomes have varied by charge, with some accused facing lesser convictions.

The case triggered nationwide protests over caste-based violence and alleged institutional cover-up, and drew international attention.

The Uttar Pradesh government initially restricted media and opposition access to the victim's village, drawing further criticism.

Intensified national conversation on caste and gender intersecting in cases of sexual violence, and on state conduct around funeral rites for victims.

Campaigners have continued to question the adequacy of the state's initial response and the pace of the judicial process.

Trial proceedings have continued; readers should consult current court records for the latest status.