Aligarh rape case: DCW chief writes to PM, demands death sentence for accused

In the letter to the PM, Maliwal said,"The Unnao and Kathua rape incidents had jolted the nation and people hit the streets demanding stringent punishment for such offences. I had also proceeded on a hunger strike. Your cabinet had brought in an ordinance that provided for death penalty for those accused of sexually assaulting girls aged 12 and below."

"After promulgating an ordinance that introduced death penalty for rape of girls aged 12 or below, 'no new steps' have been taken to prevent incidents of sexual assaults on minor girls despite promises by the government," she wrote.

"You had also promised that the number of fast-track courts will be increased and better forensic test facilities will be made available to ensure speedy justice to victims. But, no new steps have been taken since to prevent such incidents," the letter read.

"The incident involving the two-and-a-half-year-old girl in Aligarh has crossed all limits of cruelty," she said.

"The culprits in the Aligarh case should be given death penalty so that a strict message goes out to the country," she added.

According to police, the victim went missing on May 30 and her mutilated body was recovered just 100 meters away from her house on June 2.

The body of the girl was found wrapped in a cloth, but post-mortem report did not confirm rape.

The father of the girl had alleged that one Zahid, from whom he had taken Rs 5,000 loan, was behind the incident.

The UP government had set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and announced to lodge a case under the POCSO Act, against the accused.