U.P. govt. hands over Unnao rape, custodial death cases to CBI; FIR lodged against BJP MLA

The Uttar Pradesh government has directed the police to hand over the alleged gang rape and custodial death cases in Unnao to the CBI. An FIR was lodged against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on rape charge.

He was booked under Sections 363 (punishment for kidnapping), 366 (abducting and inducing a girl), 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Along with the allegation of rape levied by a minor, the CBI would also probe the assault on her father on April 3 and his death, allegedly in judicial custody, a few days later.

The decision was taken late on Wednesday after the government examined the interim report submitted by the Special Investigation Team led by ADG Lucknow Rajeev Krishna.

UP DGP O.P Singh said since the cases were now transferred to the CBI, the agency would take a call on his arrest. He was responding to questions by journalists as to why was the MLA still not arrested despite being booked under POSCO.  

Circle Officer of Safipur, Kunwar Bahadur Singh is also expected to be suspended for negligence in handling the repeated complaints given by the victim.

A separate enquiry report has been submitted by DIG Prison Love Kumar on the role of the jail administration in Unnao for the period of detention of the minor’s father.

A separate report was also obtained from the District Magistrate of Unnao on the lapses on the part of district hospital. The government has ordered the suspension of two doctors - D.K Dwivedi, Chief Medical Superintendent and Prashant Upadhyay, EMO. Disciplinary action will also be initiated against three other doctors, orthosurgeon Manoj Kumar, surgeon G.P. Sachan and EMO Gaurav Agarwal for laxity in giving proper medical care and treatment both prior to judicial custody and on referral from jail to district hospital while in judicial custody.

Meanwhile, late on Wednesday night, the MLA arrived at the residence of the Lucknow Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), sparking speculation that he had come to surrender as the SIT’s interim report submitted to the government earlier in the day was allegedly adverse to him.

Mr. Sengar, however, clarified that he had come to prove that he was not absconding. The MLA and his aides had a minor scuffle with the media outside the SSP office.

There was no confirmation from the police as to what was discussed between Mr. Sengar and the SSP.