Rape accused BJP MLA appears outside SSP residence, leaves without surrendering

In a dramatic late night development, rape accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar made a surprise appearance outside the Lucknow SSP's residence, triggering speculation that he might surrender, but left the place without handing himself over to the police.

I came here to show to the media that I am not absconding, and I am very much in Lucknow. I am here, tell me what to do, a visibly unrepentant Sengar told reporters.

He said, I am a disciplined BJP worker. I am innocent. I am being implicated.

The development came minutes after BJP president Amit Shah left Lucknow after discussing the incident with the top BJP leadership.

Shah had a prolonged meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to whom the SIT constituted to look into the case had submitted the report.

Earlier in the day, the politician's wife demanded a narco test on the survivor and her husband to ascertain the truth.

With the BJP's central leadership taking a serious view of the matter, reports were doing the rounds that the state government might recommend a CBI probe, and the party might even expel the MLA to ensure that its image is not tarnished ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.