Gayatri Prajapati case: Akhilesh Govt. trying to protect rape-accused, says BJP

A day after Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik sought Akhilesh Yadav's reply on Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati's continuation as cabinet minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned the Chief Minister for not taking cognizance of the matter, adding that the state government is trying to protect the rape-accused.

"The FIR itself was registered only after the Supreme Court's intervention, otherwise, the FIR wouldn't have been filed.. Also after the registration of FIR and him being an absconder he continues to be minister in the government as if the government itself is protecting this rape-accused," BJP leader Minakshi Lekhi told ANI.

Lekhi said the Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh government had lot to answer in case of Gayatri Prajapati.

"Why have they not acted on the complaints in the first part itself and on the second part, after the registration of FIR and after the Apex Court's intervention, why they have not arrested the person. Now, the Governor who is the supreme authority in Uttar Pradesh has to intervene," she added.

The Uttar Pradesh Governor yesterday wrote to Akhilesh Yadav, seeking his clarification over rape-accused Gayatri Prajapati's continuation as minister in the cabinet.