The father of an 18-year-old girl, who had alleged rape by BJP MlA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brothers, died in judicial custody in Unnao in the early hours of Monday, triggering a political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh. The girl has alleged, “We were getting threats and they killed my father at the behest of the BJP MlA.” However, a defiant Sengar, rejected the charge as a conspiracy by his opponents and said the complainant belonged to a “low class”.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has summoned a detailed report in the matter and assured that “whosoever is guilty will not be spared”. He said, “The incident is unfortunate. ADG, lucknow, has been asked to probe the matter and submit a report and if any policeman is found guilty, action will be taken.”
The girl’s father, Surendra Singh, alias Pappu, aged around 50, was rushed to hospital from the district jail on Sunday night and died during treatment early on Monday, officials said.
Pappu was arrested under the Arms Act after being beaten up by the MlA’s brother Anil Singh on April 5. The family of the girl alleged that the BJP MlA, his brother and their goons beat up Pappu when they refused to withdraw the gangrape case against them. “Pappu was seriously injured in the attack despite that he was arrested in an old case. Afraid of threat to her father’s life, the girl had on Sunday rushed to lucknow from Unnao to meet the CM and plead him to intervene in the matter and save her father’s life,” the family said.
Significantly, a case had been registered against four persons a few days back on a complaint by the deceased’s wife that Pappu was beaten up. “The four accused — Sonu, Baua, Vinit and Shailu —named in the FIR registered on April 4, 2018, for beating up the deceased have been arrested,” said Unnao Superintendent of Police Pushpanjali Devi.
The girl had tried to immolate herself in front of the CM’s residence on Sunday. However, security forces deployed there foiled her attempt.