BSP leaders now charged with child sex offences

Charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act were added against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders in the case registered by the mother and the wife of former BJP leader Dayashankar Singh, an official said on Monday.

The charges were filed after Circle Officer (Hazratganj) Ashok Verma recorded Singh's mother, Tetra Devi, and his wife, Swati Singh's, statements late on Sunday, Senior Superintendent of Police (Lucknow) Manjil Saini said.

They had lodged an FIR against BSP chief Mayawati, General Secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui, state unit president Ram Achal Rajbhar and secretary Mewalal Gautam for using objectionable words against their minor daughter.

Charges under the Posco were also registered, the police said, adding that a probe was underway.

"We are in possession of the CD of the protests by the BSP. We will examine it and act accordingly," a police official said.

The BSP leaders on July 21 publicly made objectionable comments about the mother, sister and the daughter of Dayashankar Singh, after the former state BJP Vice-President made some obscene remarks about Mayawati.

Following this, Singh's mother and wife registered a case against the BSP leaders at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on July 22.

Dayashankar Singh was arrested last week from Buxar in Bihar and is now lodged in judicial custody.

--IANS

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