Unhappy with Unnao probe, HC rebukes CBI

THE GIRL ATTEMPTED SELFIMMOLATION IN FRONT OF THE CM’S HOUSE ON APRIL 8 TO HIGHLIGHT HER ORDEAL

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its poor progress in the case and also for not recording the statement of the survivor.

“We are unhappy with the progress in the case. We asked for a status report just to see what you are doing. Why do you wait for our orders to proceed?” the court said. “Do whatever you can by using your power. The court cannot direct you at every stage of investigation,” the court told the CBI’S lawyer.

On Wednesday, the CBI filed a status report before the court which fixed May 21 as the next date of hearing.

The CBI took over the case from the Uttar Pradesh Police on April 12 after allegations that the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was shielding party lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the main accused.

The teenager had alleged that she was raped by the MLA at his residence on June 4 last year. After a case was filed, her father was booked by police for illegal possession of firearms and put in jail this April. The teenager attempted self-immolation in front of the chief minister’s residence on April 8 to highlight her ordeal. The case sparked further outrage after her father died of injuries reportedly sustained while in police custody.