Priyanka Gandhi drives brother Rahul to Hathras amid huge police presence in their second attempt to meet the gangrape deceased's kin

Considering the restrictions imposed under CrPC Section 144, only five members are permitted to gather or to go to Hathras via Noida, said the Noida Police. A huge contingent of police has been deployed in view of the Gandhis' visit.

Senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Adhir Ranjan Choudhury have accompanied the Gandhis.

Priyanka Gandhi was seen driving the SUV with Rahul by her side. Priyanka being in the driver's seat sends out strong signals and is also symbolic of woman power.

The Gandhis were trying to reach Hathras on Thursday when they were stopped 142 km away from Hathras and was detained for a while before being driven to Buddh International Circuit guest house in Greater Noida after which they left for Delhi.

Congress supporters got into a scuffle on Thursday with the UP police after Rahul Gandhi was manhandled and pushed to the ground.

Meanwhile, under pressure from all corners, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday suspended Hathras Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikrant Veer and others including the DSP, Circle Officer Ramshabd, Inspector Dinesh Kumar Verma, Sub-Inspector Jagveer Singh, and Head Constable Mahesh Pal.

The suspension order was issued based on the preliminary investigation report by the SIT. The SIT was continued by Adityanath on September 30.

Earlier, Adityanath said that his government is committed to women's safety and those who will try to harm the self-respect of women will have to face the strictest action against them.

The 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped by four Thakur (upper caste) men in UP's Hathras and died on Tuesday. She was left paralyzed with severe spinal cord injury on September 14. The horrific incident prompted outrage and calls for justice.

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