Unnao case: Expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar charged with rape
Delhi's Tis Hazari court on Friday framed rape and other charges against Kuldeep Singh Sengar, an expelled BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao, for raping a minor in 2017. Sengar was charged under relevant sections of IPC and POCSO Act. To note, the case is being investigated by CBI, which told the court earlier this week that Sengar raped the victim. Here's what happened.
Backstory: Raped in 2017, victim's complaint was ignored
The Unnao rape case caught limelight last year after the survivor attempted self-immolation outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence. She had been running from pillar to post for months, but no one took cognizance of her complaint. Even after she tried killing herself, the police didn't act against Sengar. Instead, her father was arrested, who died in judicial custody. Later, CBI took over the case.
Court framed charges against Sengar's aide too
The court has also framed charges against Shashi Singh, Sengar's accomplice, who allegedly brought the survivor to the MLA's home. Charges were framed against Sengar under IPC sections 120b, 363, 366, 109, 376 (i) and 3 and 4 of POCSO Act.
Notably, CBI's probe confirmed Sengar raped the victim
On Wednesday, CBI submitted in court that Sengar raped the victim on June 4, 2017. Apparently, Shashi took the victim to Sengar's house, under the pretext of getting her a job. No one was around when the minor arrived. Sengar then took the victim to a room, forcefully, and raped her. The first person to whom the victim narrated the ordeal was her aunt.
CBI named police officials who allegedly assaulted the victim's father
Further, CBI on Thursday told the court that Sengar and his brother framed the victim's father in an Arms Act case. They were helped by three state police officials in this matter. The three police officials who allegedly assaulted victim's father included the then Makhi police station's in-charge Ashok Singh Bhadauria, sub-inspector Kamta Prasad and constable Amir Khan, CBI told the court.
The victim's accident shocked the entire nation
The Unnao rape case took an unprecedented turn when the victim met with a deadly road accident, last month. The car she was traveling in was hit by a truck, which had its number plate wiped out. Two of her aunts died in the accident, while she and her lawyer were grievously injured. Both of them are being treated at AIIMS, Delhi.
