Plea in SC for CBI probe in UP rape, custodial death

A petition was filed on Tuesday in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the alleged gang rape of a girl by a BJP legislator in Uttar Pradesh and others, and the subsequent death of her father in police custody.

The petition by advocate M.L. Sharma also sought Rs 3 crore compensation and protection to the family of the girl.

Sharma said the case must be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a "fair investigation and prosecution".

"Custodial death of the victim's father is a clear case of torture by police at the behest of the state's ruling party... (the case) is now against the UP Police and UP Police cannot investigate against themselves."

Earlier in the day, the Uttar Pradesh Police set up a Special Investigation Team to look into the rape accusations against Unnao MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger and others, and the death of the girl's father.

Police has suspended six of its personnel, including station house officer of Makhi and five constables, and arrested Senger's brother Atul Singh and four of his aides -- Baua, Vineet, Shailu and Sonu -- for beating the girl's father to death.

The girl tried to set herself on fire outside the Chief Minister's residence on Sunday, claiming inaction in the gang rape case. Later on Sunday, her father was picked up by police and allegedly roughed up by Atul Singh and his aides after which he died.

The incident triggered a political storm and public outrage in the state. A magisterial probe has also been ordered by the district administration.

--IANS

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