Father of UP teen who alleged rape by BJP Lawmaker dies in custody

Mangalore Today News Network

Uttar Pradesh, Apr 09, 2018 :  The father of a girl, who had alleged rape and attempted suicide along with her family outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home on Sunday, died this morning at the district hospital. Pappu SIngh, 50, was in judicial custody after a complaint was filed by his daughter’s alleged rapists. He was reportedly beaten up by their men last week.

 

An inquiry has been ordered, police said. Two police officers and four constables have also been suspended, while four persons accused of beating the girl’s father have been arrested.

The 16-year-old girl had alleged she was raped by Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the BJP legislator from Unnao, and his brother last year, and even after a year since the incident the police refused to take any action. She also claimed that her family was threatened after they tried to file an FIR or First Information Report.

Last Tuesday, her father was allegedly assaulted by Sengar, his brother and their associates, but an FIR was filed against the girl’s father and he was arrested. On Sunday, when the man complained of abdominal pain, he was taken to the district hospital where he died today.

"The incident happened while the man was in judicial custody. Magisterial inquiry will be conducted. If there have been lapses by the police, action will be taken," Deputy Inspector General of Police Pravin Kumar said.

Before attempting suicide, the girl had said that despite her family’s pleas, no action was taken by the police. "I want all of them arrested otherwise I will kill myself. I had even gone to the chief minister with no result. When we tried to file a complaint, we were threatened," the girl had said.

Sengar, who has been a leader with the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party earlier, has denied the allegations.

"It’s a conspiracy hatched by my political opponents to damage my reputation... I have no problems with any probe. Let a probe be conducted, and the guilty be given the stringent punishment. If I am found guilty in the probe, I am ready to face the punishment," Sengar told news agency PTI.

Samajwadi Party leader Juhi Singh accused Yogi Adityanath’s government of inaction which led to Mr Singh’s death.

"The girl kept requesting for security for the family. But nothing was done. Insensitivity is rampant in this state. This is murder," she said.



courtesy:NDV