Rape accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati arrested in Lucknow

Lucknow Police interrogated his two sons and nephew to get clues about his whereabouts

Absconding Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Gayatri Parajapati, accused of rape, was arrested in Lucknow by the UP Police on Wednesday.

He had been on the run since an FIR was lodged against him in February this year on a directive of the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, tightening the noose around the Samajwadi Party leader, Lucknow Police nabbed three more accomplices and  interrogated his two sons and nephew to get clues about his whereabouts.

The arrests were made in Hazratganj area in central Lucknow, IG (Lucknow) A Satish Ganesh said.

Lashing out at the Samajwadi Party (SP) for protecting absconding rape-accused Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, Union Minister Santosh Gangwar has asserted that only the law can give a verdict on the matter and the latter should present himself in court.

"This is very unfortunate that even political parties are giving protection to him. Only the court has the right to give directions on the same. He should present himself in front of the court and face the music," Gangwar told ANI.

On the other hand, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi had called on the tainted minister to surrender and offer his resignation as soon as possible. 

"The Samajwadi Party is not intentionally trying to rescue him. I would ask him to surrender as soon as possible and resign as well," Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi told ANI.

He further added that Prajapati should not malign the image of the party.

The Supreme Court on Monday had refused to stay the arrest of absconding Prajapati and asked him to approach the concerned court.

Prajapati, had been on the run since February 27 after an FIR was lodged against him, had approached the top court for a stay on his arrest.