Allahabad HC orders relocation of Hathras victim's family to Noida or Ghaziabad in three months

The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to relocate and rehabilitate the family of the Hathras gang rape victim to Ghaziabad or Noida within three months. The order came after the Bench found "unnecessary resistance" on the part of the State in complying with its earlier directions.

A Division Bench of Justices Rajan Roy and Jaspreet Singh observed that the State's decision on February 22, 2025, offering rehabilitation in Kasganj, Etah or Aligarh did not consider the family's request for relocation to Ghaziabad or Noida. The court described the decision as "no decision in the eyes of law", noting that it failed to address the family's stated security concerns.

The Bench said such conduct lent credence to the family's assertion that the State was treating the matter as "adversarial litigation" and was adamant about not granting statutory benefits under the court's orders. "We, therefore, see no reason to grant any further time to the State for reconsideration of the matter," the court stated.

The court directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to file a compliance affidavit. In case of non-compliance, the official would have to appear before the court in person on November 30. The Bench also pointed out that despite an earlier direction to consider the family's request, the State's subsequent decision did not even mention it.

Speaking to The Hindu, the victim's elder brother said the judiciary had been providing them support, but the government was delaying relief. "It has been almost six years, but our life has not come back on track. As the districts offered by the government are adjoining or close to Hathras, we wanted to be rehabilitated to Delhi-NCR for safety," he said.

The 19-year-old woman was allegedly raped by four men from her village in September 2020. She died at a Delhi hospital a fortnight later. The case drew nationwide attention and led to multiple protests. The family has been seeking adequate security, compensation and a safe place to live, away from the accused who come from the same village.

The High Court's order is a significant step in addressing the family's long-pending demand. The court has fixed November 30 as the date for verifying compliance, underlining its seriousness about the matter. The State government is now expected to take necessary steps to implement the order within the stipulated time.