The father of the woman, who alleged rape by a BJP MLA, has died in police custody in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions on the near-collapsed law and order in the state under Yogi Adityanath government. The deceased was arrested after he along with other family members attempted suicide outside the residence of UP Chief Minister on Sunday protesting police’s inaction.
Victim’s screenshot from video“The man was admitted to the hospital last night after he complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. He passed away in the early morning hours,” Dr Atul, District hospital of Unnao told ANI about the father of the alleged rape victim.
The deceased’s daughter alleged that her father was assaulted by the brother of BJP MLA from Unnao, Kuldeep Singh Sengar. She said that her father had sustained multiple injuries after the BJP MLA’s brother and some of his accomplices beat him up some days ago. There are reports that the father of the alleged rape victim was also beaten up by cops during the custody.
Unnao Superintendent of Police Pushpanjali Devi has said that wo police officers and four constables have been suspended and four others accused of beating the rape victim’s father have been arrested.
The mother and daughter attempted to commit suicide on Sunday complaining of inaction by police. The mother had told ANI, “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 to no result. When we lodged FIR we were threatened.”
Meanwhile, the shocking incident of the rape victim’s father succumbing to injuries sustained by beating has evoked angry reactions with activists questioning the deteriorating law and order in Uttar Pradesh.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan asked, “OMG. Instead of arresting his MLA who raped the woman who was driven to attempt suicide because of inaction by police & CM, Yogi’s police pick up the helpless father of the woman & beat him to death! Jungle Raj, Goonda Raj & Rape Raj in Yogi’s UP.”
OMG! Instead of arresting his MLA who raped the woman who was driven to attempt suicide because of inaction by police & CM, Yogi’s police pick up the helpless father of the woman & beat him to death! Jungle Raj, Goonda Raj & Rape Raj in Yogi’s UP! https://t.co/0JxgbQ79Lf https://t.co/0JxgbQ79Lf
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 9, 2018
Here are some other reactions;
Whole Lucknow-Unnao has to rise up against the brutal treatment of the father of the gangrape victim!!!
— Aggressive Indian? (@bharat_builder) April 9, 2018
This is tragic and looking very very bad for the BJP Unnao MLA: https://t.co/BrdOkBz84y
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 9, 2018
This is beyond any condemnation! Listen to helpless cries of #Unnao gangrape victim who was first denied any support and now lost her father for asking for justice! Will nation wake up now and support her??? pic.twitter.com/D0DigtsuSQ
— Irony Of India (@IronyOfIndia_) April 9, 2018
He is Kuldeep Sengar BJP MLA from #Unnao who is accused of Gang Rape and compares himself by Ram !! pic.twitter.com/TCsMpLnBnk
— Dil Se Desh (@Dilsedesh) April 9, 2018