[8] The case and its subsequent handling received widespread media attention and condemnation from across the country, and was the subject of protests against the Yogi Adityanath government by activists and opposition.
[9] The mishandling of the case additionally caused a severe damage to the reputation of the Uttar Pradesh Police, which faced harsh criticism from the CBI, lawyers and activists, who took-over the investigation after noticing the misconducts and the botched up investigation committed by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Four men — Sandeep, Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi — allegedly dragged her away by dupatta around her neck injuring her spinal cord in the process.
[17] The victim was initially admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital in Aligarh on 14 September,[18] with her spinal cord severely damaged.
[32][33][34] Later, a senior UP Police officer claimed that no sperm was found in samples as per forensic report and that some people had "twisted" the incident to stir "caste-based tension."
[35] However, critics have alleged this evidence is unreliable, citing guidelines that state swabs to test for sperm should only be taken if the assault might have occurred in the previous three days.
[39] The Wire and others reported that the Uttar Pradesh government employed Concept PR, a Mumbai public relations firm.
The charges listed by police on the main FIR include inciting caste based divides, religious discrimination, doctoring electronic evidence, a conspiracy against the state and defamation.
[47] Yogi Adityanath had earlier asked his party workers to "expose those who want to incite caste and communal riots".
[49] UP Police detained 4 men, including a Delhi-based journalist Sidheeq Kappan under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, for their alleged link to Popular Front of India PFI, on Mathura Toll Plaza, while on their way to the village.
[57][58] The UP police has claimed that call records show that the woman's family knew the main accused, Sandeep Thakur.
[59] The case and its subsequent handling has received widespread media attention and condemnation from across the country, and was the subject of protests against the Yogi Adityanath government by activists and opposition.
[60][61] BSP national president and former Chief Minister Mayawati demanded resignation of Chief Minister Yogi stating him as an incapable to protecting Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, she further asserted that he should oversee newly built Ram Mandir, Ayodhya or join his Gorakhnath Math.
[64] Another media report stated that an outfit called 'National Sawarna Council' visited the Superintendent of Police and filed a memorandum alleging the family of the victim girl to be involved in implication of the innocent people.
[42] On 2 October, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted a video of the 19-year-old victim, which showed her face,[68][69] allegedly in contravention of Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code.
[70] On 4 October, Rajveer Singh Pehelwan, an ex-MLA of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a rally in support of the accused.
The meeting was also attended by members of various right-wing outfits like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Karni Sena and Bajrang Dal.
[76][77] Another remark that drew fierce criticism came from BJP MLA, Surendra Nath Singh that "Sanskar should be instilled in girls to prevent incidents of rape".
[80] Protestors in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 2 October.
[91] CBI also mentioned lapses on part of UP Police that include delay in recording the victim's statement in writing and her subsequent medical examination.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has been criticized by the CBI for inaction and delay in collecting samples as well as other evidence, eventually botching up the investigation, which led to the acquittal.