"We are prisoners while the accused are free," said Satinder Kumar, eldest brother of the Hathras victim, to CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali who travelled to their village on January 17, to inquire about their well-being.

The Uttar Pradesh government has refused to appeal against the shocking judgement which exonerated three of the accused and found the fourth guilty only of “man slaughter” and not of gangrape and murder.

The victim's family, under constant threat has been provided security but as a result they cannot move without it and so, as a result, both brothers have lost their jobs. UP government has refused to implement court order to give a family member a job and a home outside. The family is in deep financial distress. Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali assured them of all support from the Party.