Gang-rape victim cremated in Delhi; PM, Sonia Gandhi received body

NEW DELHI: The mortal remains of the gangrape victim, who lost her brave battle for life in a Singapore hospital yesterday, were consigned to flames here early today away from public glare, hours after her body was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the small hours.

The funeral pyre was lit by her sobbing father at a crematorium in the subcity Dwarka after traumatised relatives and friends said their final prayers at a ritual at the house where the girl lived in southwest Delhi.

Singh and Gandhi waited at the Palam technical area of the IGI Airport where a special aircraft of Air India carrying the mortal remains of the girl as also her parents and family members taxied down the tarmac in heavy fog in a sombre atmosphere reflecting the national mood against the beastial attack on her two Sundays ago that ultimately claimed her life.

After the plane landed at IGI airport at around 3.30am, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi met the disconsolate parents and brothers of the paramedica student and commisserated in their grief.

Amidst heavy deployment of Delhi Police, BSF and Rapid Action Force personnel in riot gear, the body was then taken to the house, where the girl lived, and rituals were performed before being taken to the crematorium at Dwarka Sector 24.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, Minister of state for Home Affairs R P N Singh, West Delhi MP Mahabal Mishra, Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta were also present at the cremation from which the media was kept out.

It was only late last night that police had approached the officials of a crematorium for an early morning cremation of the 23-year-old gangrape victim.

The cremation plans were kept closely-guarded till the last moment as police apprehended a large gathering may cause law and order problems.

Authorities also wanted the last rites to be performed at 6.30 AM but their plan did not materialize as Hindu traditions did not allow cremation before sunrise.

At 7.30 AM, the father of the victim lit the funeral pyre in the presence of her brothers, relatives and others.