Unnao rape survivor injured, her aunts killed, in road accident
The woman who had leveled rape allegations against BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar in 2018 was injured in a road accident on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli. A truck, which had its number wiped off, rammed into the car she was traveling in. While two of her aunts passed away, the survivor's lawyer suffered injuries. A probe was ordered. Here are more details.
Truck rammed into car crushing its front portion
The family was on its way to Raebareli district jail to meet the survivor's uncle, who is serving a life term in a separate case. The accident took place near Ataura outpost, which falls under Gurubakshganj police station. Locals somehow pulled out the victims from the car, whose front portion was completely crushed. Reportedly, it was raining heavily when the collision happened.
Victim and her lawyer are undergoing treatment
The locals took the victims to a district hospital, where a woman, identified as the survivor's aunt's sister, was declared brought dead. The others were taken to Lucknow's King George's Medical University, where the victim's aunt succumbed to injuries. Reportedly, the lawyer, Mahendra Singh, is battling for life after suffering head injuries. The victim has also been put on a life support system.
After accident, survivor's cousin blamed Sengar
After the rape incident came to light, the court had ordered security cover for the victim, but it wasn't present with her at the time of the accident. Her family blamed Sengar, who is lodged in Sitapur district jail, for the accident. "MLA Kuldeep Singh and his associates planned the attack to threaten us so that we stop pursuing the case," her cousin said.
Police said victim's family 'chose' to travel without security cover
Rajiv Krishna, ADG Lucknow Zone, said, "I have asked Unnao SP to investigate as to why security personnel were not with them. It appears that victim's family had themselves asked the security personnel to not accompany them because of lack of space in the car."
The truck's owner and driver have been arrested
When asked why the truck's license number was painted in black ink, Krishna said, "The forensic investigation of both truck and car will be conducted and action will be taken." The truck's owner and driver, identified as one Ashish, have been arrested. Ashish, who belongs to Fatehpur district, told police he was on his way to Lalganj to load bricks when the accident happened.
Meanwhile, BJP's rivals said a federal investigation should be done
Reportedly, BJP's political rivals demanded a federal investigation into the accident saying it could have been a murder attempt. To note, Sengar was an influential leader in Bangarmau constituency and the survivor's family struggled for over a year to even lodge the rape case. The victim's family alleged Sengar raped her in 2017 and the police didn't take cognizance of the matter.
After outrage, CBI took over the case
Tired of running from pillar to post, the victim attempted self-immolation outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence on April 8, 2018. The next day her father died in custody, after being thrashed by police and allegedly by Sengar's brother Atul. As the case gained momentum, CBI took over the investigation. Reportedly, the agency told the court that Sengar raped the victim on June 4, 2017.
