Unnao Rape Survivor Blames BJP MLA For Father’s Death in Custody

A woman, who alleged rape by a BJP MLA, attempted suicide outside Yogi Adityanath’s residence on 8 April.

A woman was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

A day after the father of an 18-year-old woman, who has alleged rape by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brothers, died in custody in Unnao, one of the brothers of the lawmaker – Atul Singh – was arrested in connection with the incident. Along with Atul Singh, three others were also arrested, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar dubbed the charges against him as a conspiracy, saying that the complainant belonged to a "low-class".

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, 10 April, the woman who has levelled rape allegations against Sengar said:

Kuldeep Singh (Sengar) isn’t being arrested. I don’t know if his brother is arrested. I demand that they be hanged till death. They’ve made my life miserable. I want justice. They killed my father.

The death of her father prompted the woman to put the blame on the lawmaker.

He was "killed at the behest of the BJP MLA" inside the jail, she alleged. "We were getting threats and they killed my father," she told the media.

Moreover, a day before his death, the woman and her family attempted suicide outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence. The woman had even tried to immolate herself outside Adityanath’s office on 8 April.

The woman's father, aged around 50, was rushed to a hospital from the district jail on the night of 8 April and died during treatment on Monday, officials told PTI. He had been arrested on 5 April under the Arms Act, they added.

On Monday, 9 April, Adityanath responded to the father’s death, saying that he has asked the Lucknow Additional Director General Rajeev Kumar to probe the matter. Those responsible will not be spared, he added.

It is an unfortunate incident. ADG Lucknow Rajeev Krishna has been asked to probe the matter thoroughly. Those at fault, whoever they might be, will not be spared.

Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

The Unnao SP said six policemen, including Makhi SHO Ashok Kumar Singh, the outpost in-charge and four beat constables were suspended. According to Inspector General of Police Praveen Kumar, a magisterial probe has been ordered to investigate his death.

Significantly, a case had been registered against four persons a few days back on a complaint by the deceased's wife that he was beaten up.

The four accused – Sonu, Baua, Vinit and Shailu – named in the FIR registered on 4 April, 2018 for beating up the deceased had been arrested.

Pushpanjali Devi, Superintendent of Police, Unnao

‘Complainant Belongs to Low-Status Family’: Sengar

In the meantime, Sengar, who represents the Bangermau constituency in Unnao, has rejected the charges against him as conspiracy by his opponents, saying that the complainant belonged to a "low-class".

They belong to a low-status family (nimn star ke log hain)... This is a conspiracy by my opponents.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar, MLA

Speaking to the media, he demanded a high-level inquiry and sought action against those guilty.

“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 punishment,” he said.

To a question whether he will resign, Sengar said:

Has anyone given resignation only because his name has figured in any case... will you resign if anyone takes your name... this incident is totally fake as the sole intention is to defame me by those feeling frustrated because of my popularity and working style.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar

MLA Sengar Not Named in FIR

Later on 9 April, a copy of the FIR registered in the rape case revealed that Sengar’s name was not mentioned in it, reported ANI.

The sister of the survivor, on Monday, demanded that the MLA and his brother, Atul Singh, be named in the FIR and arrested.

My father has already died and now they say that the action will be taken. I just want that FIR be written against Atul Singh and Kuldeep Singh and they be arrested. I want justice.

Rape survivor’s sister to ANI 

Rahul Gandhi Lashes Out at Yogi Govt

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had lashed out at the Yogi Adityanth-led government in UP on Monday, questioning the father’s alleged “custodial” death, and asking why the MLA had not been arrested yet.

Unverified Video of Rape Survivor’s Father in Custody Goes Viral

An unverified video of the victim’s father in the custody of police had also gone viral. In the video, one can see the man with injuries, due to which he allegedly passed away.

Team Formed to Probe Father’s Death

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh had said that a team has been formed to investigate the death of the rape survivor’s father, and that the accused would be arrested.

“He was admitted to hospital last night by the police after he complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. He passed away early morning,” Dr Atul of District Hospital, Unnao, told ANI.

What the Woman Alleges

The woman had attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on herself after alleging rape by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. No action had been taken regarding the matter despite several complaints to the police and the party, she said.

The rape had allegedly taken place in May 2017.

Speaking to ANI, the woman alleged:

I was raped. I have been going from pillar to post for one year but no one listened to me. I want all of them arrested otherwise I will kill myself. I had even gone to the CM but did not get any result. When we lodged FIR, we were threatened.

The Times of India reported that the woman had moved court under Section 156 (3) of the CrPC in an attempt to get an FIR registered against Sengar. However, on 2 April, supporters of the MLA reportedly barged inside the woman’s house and beat up her father and brother in retaliation.

The ADG has said both parties were in a dispute since 10 to 12 years.

They (woman and her family) alleged that Kuldeep Singh Sengar raped her, no action was taken, and that they were beaten up by the other party. On further probe, it was found that both parties are in a dispute since 10-12 years.

ADG Rajiv Krishna

(With inputs from ANI and The Times of India)