In a gruesome incident that has sparked nationwide outrage, the naked body of a 22-year-old Dalit woman was discovered near a canal in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, over the weekend. The woman had been missing since January 27, and her family has accused the police of inaction despite filing a missing complaint the following day. According to the family, the body bore severe injuries, including deep cuts, fractures, and missing eyes. A large crowd gathered at the crime scene, demanding justice and swift action against those responsible.
While police have taken three suspects into custody, authorities are yet to disclose their identities or motive. A post-mortem has been conducted, and forensic analysis is underway to determine whether the victim was sexually assaulted. Despite the police’s insistence that they are actively investigating, the family remains critical, alleging that the officers failed to search for the woman properly until her body was discovered by her brother-in-law.
Family’s allegations and harrowing discovery
The victim’s family had reported her missing on Friday, yet the police allegedly failed to launch an immediate search operation. It was her brother-in-law who ultimately found the mutilated body near a canal, just 500 metres from their village. The corpse was found bound with ropes, with multiple deep wounds, a fractured leg, and signs of extreme brutality. The horrific condition of the body left family members and locals in shock, with some fainting at the sight. Despite these gruesome details, local police officials initially remained non-committal, stating that further action would only follow after receiving the post-mortem report. The family and villagers, however, have squarely blamed the authorities for their negligence, stating that a proactive approach could have saved the victim’s life.
Political leaders condemn law enforcement and state government
The case has ignited a political storm, with prominent leaders condemning the state government’s failure to protect Dalits and other marginalised communities. Chandrashekhar Azad, MP from Nagina and president of Azad Samaj Party, staged a protest in front of the BR Ambedkar statue in Parliament, slamming the Uttar Pradesh police for their delayed response. “For three days, there was no action until the family found the body themselves. This shows the utter failure of the system,” he said, adding that under the current government, atrocities against Dalits have become rampant.
Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad broke down in tears while addressing the media, expressing his anguish over the brutal crime. In a highly emotional moment, he questioned, “Where are Lord Ram and Mother Sita? How did this happen to a daughter in Ayodhya?” He vowed to resign from his post if justice was not delivered, though his colleagues urged him to fight from within the system.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav described the incident as “inhuman,” blaming the ruling BJP for rising atrocities against Dalits, minorities, and backward communities. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government’s inaction, asserting that had the administration responded to the family’s cries for help, the victim’s life might have been saved.
अयोध्या में दलित बेटी के साथ हुई अमानवता और उसकी नृशंस हत्या हृदयविदारक और बहुत शर्मनाक है।
तीन दिनों से गूंजती बच्ची के परिवार के मदद की पुकार पर अगर प्रशासन ने ध्यान दिया होता तो शायद उसके जीवन की रक्षा हो सकती थी। एक और बेटी के जीवन का इस घिनौने अपराध से अंत हो गया। आखिर कब… pic.twitter.com/25SRfkA3a2
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 2, 2025
Priyanka Gandhi echoed similar sentiments, condemning the police for their indifference and calling the UP government synonymous with Dalit oppression.
अयोध्या में भागवत कथा सुनने गई एक दलित बच्ची के साथ जिस तरह की बर्बरता हुई, उसे सुनकर किसी भी इंसान की रूह कांप जाए। ऐसी क्रूर घटनाएं समूची मानवता को शर्मसार करती हैं। बच्ची तीन दिन से गायब थी लेकिन पुलिस ने कुछ नहीं किया। भाजपा के जंगलराज में दलितों, आदिवासियों, पिछड़ों और…
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 2, 2025
Police response and conflicting claims
As the outrage mounted, the Ayodhya police attempted to push back against the allegations. Senior Superintendent of Police (Ayodhya) Raj Karan Nayyer stated that the post-mortem indicated that the cause of death was “shock and haemorrhage due to ante-mortem injuries.” He denied claims that the woman’s eyes had been gouged out, attributing the post-mortem injuries to the body being dumped elsewhere before being discovered near the canal. While he acknowledged that “strong clues” had been found and “key suspects” detained, the police’s initial inaction remains a glaring issue.
Despite these claims, the family maintains that the police failed to search for the victim and only responded after public pressure mounted. The administration’s handling of the case has reinforced the perception that crimes against Dalits are often met with indifference, exacerbating fears of systemic caste-based violence.
A pattern of impunity and injustice
This incident is yet another addition to a long list of brutal crimes against Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh, where justice is often delayed or denied. The state government’s failure to ensure safety, combined with police apathy, has further eroded trust in law enforcement. The outpouring of grief and anger from citizens and political leaders highlights the deep-rooted caste-based discrimination that continues to enable such crimes.
As the investigation continues, the crucial question remains—will this be yet another case where perpetrators walk free due to political and institutional protection, or will the state finally act decisively to bring justice to the victim and her family? The people of Uttar Pradesh, particularly its Dalit community, are watching closely.
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