Plea for CBI probe into Unnao incident

A petition was filed on Tuesday in the Supreme Court for a CBI investigation into the Unnao gang-rape of a minor allegedly by an Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA and some others and the subsequent death of the victim’s father in judicial custody.

The public interest petition was filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma a day after the arrest of Atul Singh Sengar, brother of Bangermau (Unnao) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Atul Sengar faces charges under culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Citing the rise in crimes against women in the State, the petition said the “kidnapping, rape of a minor girl by the BJP MLA and his companion and custodial death of her father via torture after arrest” is a cause for extreme alarm about the safety of women.

The petition said the father was taken into custody by the police after the family protested against the crime and sought speedy investigation and justice.

A week ago, the girl's father was allegedly thrashed by accomplices of the legislator, including his brother. The minor has alleged that the MLA and his brother were intimidating the family to withdraw the case.

She said her father was badly thrashed by the MLA’s supporters while he was on his way to a local court. Though both sides lodged complaints against each other, the police chose to arrest her father, who was then sent to judicial custody.

Compensation for family

The petition has demanded that the family be paid compensation.

The petition pointed out that no FIR was registered by the police despite the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's direction on April 9 for a magisterial enquiry.

It alleged that the investigation of the case has suffered under political control and pressure.