New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cracked the whip on the brutal rape and murder case of two minor girls in Uttar Pradesh seeking to demonstrate the BJP government’s “zero tolerance’’ approach towards crime against women. This comes as the first sharp contrast to the UPA government’s handling of the infamous Nirbhaya rape case in 2012. The move also sent a signal that the BJP is beginning the groundwork for 2017 Assembly elections in the state.

Mr Modi’s direct intervention came as the PMO on Thursday sought a detailed report from the Union home ministry on the horrific case of rape of two teenage sisters in Badaun in UP whose bodies were found hanging from a tree. UP police personnel are found to be involved in the horrific crime.

The Centre’s pro-active role is being viewed as the BJP preparing grounds for the 2017 Assembly elections in the state as spiralling crime rate and deteriorating law and order under the SP rule is expected to become a major election plank during the Assembly polls.

On Thursday, home minister Rajnath Singh personally studied the matter after the Akhilesh Yadav government sent ITS report to the home ministry, which was submitted to the PMO.

Hours after the PMO’s intervention, the Cabinet Secretary also stepped in and sought facts of the case from the MHA. On the backfoot, the UP government has assured the MHA that adequate measures are being taken to ensure that law and order remains in control in the area.

