New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday expelled jailed MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the prime accused in the Unnao rape case.
The saffron party had come under intense criticism for allegedly shielding Sengar in the case. The pressure to act against him became more pronounced after the rape victim met with an accident last Sunday in Rae Bareli district.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the CBI’s appeal for a month’s time and asked it to complete the investigation into the case within seven days.
It also directed for transfer all the four cases related to the rape incident from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi also took strong exception to the delay in the letter from rape victim’s family, fearing an imminent threat to her life, reaching him. The letter was written on July 12 but it was taken up by the top court four days after the girl was critically injured in the crash. The CJI has asked for a report from the court registry on it.
Here is the chronology of the events as they unfolded:
- The victim visits Sengar at his residence in Unnao on June 4, 2017, for a job. During the visit, she was allegedly sexually assaulted by him.
- Sengar was arrested last year after the girl threatened self-immolation in front of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister residence. The legislator was lodged in the Sitapur district jail.
- On April 3, 2018, the victim’s father was assaulted by Sengar’s brother Atul Singh. He was tied to a tree and mercilessly beaten up, till he fell unconscious.
- The following day, the victim’s father was arrested on charges of illegal possession of firearms. He later died in police custody.
- Last Sunday, the girl met with an accident when the car in which she along with her family member was travelling was hit by a truck from behind. The CBI has arrested the truck owner and the helper. The truck’s number plate was found erased. The girl’s uncle has alleged that Sengar and other BJP leaders were behind this car crash.
