Unnao rape case: Why has BJP MLA not been arrested yet, HC asks UP govt

The police arrested Atul Singh, the brother of accused Sengar and also decided to refer the two cases - the alleged rape case and the death of the victim's father in judicial custody - to CBI

The 18-year-old rape survivor in the Unnao gang rape case welcomed the government's decision of of getting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the matter. Following sharp criticism from opponents and amid public outcry over the Unnao rape case, allegedly involving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government ordered the filing of a first information report (FIR) against Sengar under Sections 363, 366, 376, 506 and POCSO Act.

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday asked the Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to clarify whether or not it would arrest the MLA. Bollywood fraternity condemned the tragic incident. Veteran Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe a fast over the Unnao rape case. 

The rape survivor's father had died in judicial custody after being brutally beaten up, allegedly by Atul Singh, the lawmaker's brother. CBI will also look into this matter. 

While briefing the media on Thursday morning, Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary accused the Uttar Pradesh police of 'negligence' while investigating the rape case. "The state police has been lax in carrying out an investigation so far," said Kumar.

Here are the latest updates in the Unnao rape case involving an 18-year-old girl and allegedly BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar: 

1. Allahabad HC asks the Yogi Adityanath government: "Why has the MLA not been arrested yet?" 

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's approach in handling the Unnao rape case, asking its counsel why the accused BJP MLA, Kuldeep Singh Sengar was not arrested even after an FIR.

A Bench of Chief Justice D B Bhosale and Justice Suneet Kumar asked the counsel to clarify whether or not the government would arrest the MLA, and sought a reply after lunch.

It may be noted that the case has been handed over to the CBI, while an SIT of Lucknow zone police is also investigating it.
 

Earlier, Allahabad HC earlier ordered that the body of victim's father should not be cremeted, if it had not already been cremated. However, the body had already been cremated by then.

2. Unnao rape survivor fears for Uncle's life: After losing her father, the 18-year-old rape survivor thinks her uncle's life is in danger after UP govt ordered CBI probe in the matter. 

"I just want their arrest first, then CBI probe should be done. Why are they being saved? If they are out, they will not spare my uncle. When they have already killed my father, what doubt is there?" she told. 

Unable to speak further, the victim broke down in tears and lost consciousness.

However, after being brought back to her senses, she further said, "I will get justice only if CBI investigates the case with honesty. How will I get justice if they don't investigate honestly?"

3. Kuldeep Singh's wife is in ICU: 

The wife of accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was admitted in the ICU of Mayo Hospital in Lucknow. "After watching the news Sangeeta aunty is in trauma and a team of three doctors is looking after her," her nephews confirms. Earlier, she blamed political conspiracy theory against her family as her brother-in-law has been arrested in the Unnao rape case. 

4. PM should observe fast over Unnao rape incident, says Kapil Sibal: Veteran Congress leader Kapil Sibal attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged silence over the Unnao rape case and questioned why the accused BJP MLA was yet to be arrested.

The victim did not name him (the MLA) because she was afraid. Why then was he not arrested? We charge he would never be arrested, said Sibal.

The former Union minister added that once the case is transferred to the CBI, the investigation agency would take its own time to conduct the probe and the MLA concerned would go absconding meanwhile. 

Sibal also asked the Prime Minister to observe fast over rape incidents and register his protest against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the Unnao rape case.

5. Bollywood demands justice in Unnao rape case: Indian film industry voiced anger against the Unnao rape case. Noted screenwriter Javed Akhtar said it was high time that people came forward in support of women rights. "All those who wish justice for women should stand up and raise their voices against the rapists and their protectors in Unnao and Kathua," he said.


Tisca Chopra also tweeted, So pained to read about #Unnao & #Kathua rapes.. how strongly the government responds will be its true test @PMOIndia... At least I won't vote for the coming elections if they don't take action this time.

"If these people had an iota of reverence and respect for Hinduism, they'd be up in arms against the people who used a temple to torture, rape and murder a child! These are slogans to be used when the people who have committed these crimes are hanged! Utterly appalling that slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' are being used to defend perpetrators of heinous crimes. These vicious beasts will destroy India and Hinduism. Unnao and Kathua, Bollywood actor Shorey said. 

6. Union Minister Satyapal Singh criticized the Unnao rape case. He said, The SIT has submitted its report, strict action will be taken against guilty.I don't know how much is he(#KuldeepSinghSengar) involved in the case, sometimes allegations are proven wrong also."

7. CBI will decide Kuldeep's fate, says Uttar Pradesh DGP: While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Om Prakash Sing said: "Nobody is defending him, all we are saying is that we have to hear both sides. Now the case has been given to CBI, they will decide on arrest. "Now that the case has been given to CBI, they will decide on arrest," said Singh.

Asked about the arrest of the accused MLA, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, OP Sing said: "If there is evidence found, the CBI will take a call if the accused has to be arrested or not."

8. BJP MLA's name is not there in the statement, says UP Home Secy: Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Arvind Kumar revealed the details of victim's statement to the media. He said on Thursday that the rape survivor did not mention the name of the accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in her statement in 2017. 

9. Finally the FIR has been filed, says victim's uncle: The girl's uncle welcomed the decision to file and FIR in the matter. Welcoming the Yogi Adityanath government’s move, the victim's uncle said: "If it had been done earlier, my brother would not have died." Uttar Pradesh Police is providing full security to the victim's family. 
10. UP govt files an FIR against accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar: After the Unnao rape case created a stir among public, the Yogi Adityanath government decided to register an FIR against the accused MLA Kuldeep Singh.

Kuldeep Singh, the BJP MLA from Bangarmau district in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh and his brother Atul Singh has allegedly gang raped an 18-year-old girl from Unnao in June 2017.

However, the accused MLA dismissed all the allegations against him. Earlier, he said "There is no allegation against me — I'm open to any kind of investigation. Strict action should be taken against the real culprit." 

11. Special Investigation Team (SIT) Submitted the report on Wednesday: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Lucknow Police submitted a report on the custodial death of victim's father after the 55-year-old was allegedly beaten-up by the lawmaker's brother Atul Singh, on Wednesday evening.   

Additional Director General (ADG) of Lucknow zone Rajeev Krishna assured that all angles of the case have been investigated. While talking to the press about the political pressure on his team,  Krishna said  "There is no pressure on the SIT. It is working independently."

12. The doctors have been suspended for lack of proper treatment: Based on a report submitted by SIT on Unnao rape victim's tragic death by Unnao jail, Yogi Adityanath government suspended Dr D K Dwivedi, CMS and Dr Prashant Upadhyay, EMO. 

"Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against three doctors namely Manoj Kumar (orthosurgeon), G P Sachan (surgeon) and Gaurav Agrawal (EMO) for laxity in giving proper medical care to the victim's father, both prior to judicial custody and on referral from jail to the district hospital while in judicial custody," said the statement.

Apart from that, "Circle Officer Safipur, Kunwar Bahadur Singh has been suspended for negligence in handling the repeated complaints given by the victim," the official press release said.

13. MLA's wife wants a narcotic test of her husband and the victim: Thrashing all the accusations against her husband as false, Sangeeta Sengar, wife of accused MLA, demanded a narco test on her husband and the victim. 

Mentioning the inconsistency in the girl's statement, she said, "We demand that a narco test be conducted on my husband and the girl as well as her uncle. This will help in ascertaining the truth and presenting the correct picture."

She also mentioned political conspiracy theory against her family as her brother-in-law has been arrested in the Unnao rape case. She said the allegations against her brother-in-law Atul were false too.

14. Congress demands resignation of Yogi Adityanath: The Congress demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, called his government a  "Ravan" regime which has failed to protect women after the Unnao rape case. 

"Yogi Adityanath government is a government of Ravan, which has failed to protect women," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

In a separate tweet, the Congress party said: "It is shocking that the Yogi Govt has withdrawn a rape case against a former BJP minister. This move will further embolden criminals and jeopardise women's security in a state that has witnessed a sharp rise in crimes against women." 

15. BJP MLA supports Kuldeep Singh, says "no one can rape a mother of three children": Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bairia district Surendra Singh on Wednesday came out in support of BJP MLA from Unnao Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is facing rape charges.

Singh made a bizarre statement while defending Sengar. He said no one can rape a mother of three children.

"I am speaking from the psychological point of view; no one can rape a mother of three children. It is not possible, this is a conspiracy against him (Kuldeep Singh Sengar)," Surendra Singh told ANI.

16. No resignation from UP Assembly, confirms Kuldeep Singh's wife: Calling her husband innocent who is the main accused in a gang-rape case of an 18-year-old girl, Kuldeep Singh's wife Sangeeta Sengar said her husband is not resigning from the UP Assembly.

She retorted, "Why should he quit even before he is declared guilty? Merely on the basis of charges, why should he resign?" 

Earlier, Kuldeep Singh also ruled out any possibility of resignation. He asked the reporters, "Does one tender resignation upon being accused? Will you resign if your name comes up?"

 

17. CBI probe into the twin cases: After public outcry and criticism from the opponents, Yogi Adityanath government decided to hand over the rape case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case of victim's father tragic death in Unnao prison will also be probed the CBI, the government confirmed.