The savage assault has been compared by many on social media to the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape

The woman was attacked on September 14 at a village in Hathras, some 200 km from Delhi. She was dragged by her dupatta into the fields, where she had been cutting grass with her family.

AGENCIES / WEB DESK / NEW DELHI

The unfortunate young Dalit woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, who was allegedly gang-raped and tortured by four men two weeks ago, died at a Delhi hospital today. The woman had been in an extremely critical state with multiple fractures and her tongue had been slashed in the horrific assault.

She had been in the ICU in a hospital in Uttar Pradesh until she was moved to Delhi yesterday.

All four attackers are in jail. They will now also be charged with murder. The 20 year old woman belonged to the Scheduled Caste, while the attackers were from a so-called upper caste. The incident, coming in a wave of crimes against women in Uttar Pradesh in recent months, sparked nationwide shock and anger as details of the woman’s injuries emerged. Spinal fractures left her paralysed and struggling to breathe, said doctors.

The savage assault has been compared by many on social media to the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape.

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“The incident is very saddening. Our government stands with the victim’s family. Investigation started immediately and four accused have been arrested. Strict action will be taken. The law will take its course,” said UP Minister Siddharth Nath Singh.

The woman’s family has accused the Uttar Pradesh police of not helping them initially but reacting only after public outrage.

The woman was attacked on September 14 at her village in Hathras, some 200 km from Delhi. She was dragged by her dupatta into the fields from a spot where she had been cutting grass with her family.

“My mother, sister and elder brother had gone to a field to get some grass. My brother went home earlier with a large bundle of grass, while my mother and sister continued to cut them. The women were a little far from each other. Four-five people came from behind, they threw my sister’s dupatta around her neck and dragged her inside the bajra field,” the woman’s brother told to NDTV.

“My mother realised she was missing and went looking for her. My sister was found unconscious. They had raped her. The police did not help us initially… they did not take quick action. They acted only after four-five days,” he said.

The Uttar Pradesh police has denied the family’s allegation of slow response. “This is a very unfortunate incident but we have been proactive in making arrests and helping the family in whatever manner possible . I will personally ensure swift investigation and that these men are tried in a fast track court,” Hathras police chief Vikrant Vir had told media.