Father of UP girl who accused BJP MLA of rape dies in custody

Six policemen suspended

LUCKNOW: The father of a girl, who had alleged rape and attempted suicide along with her family outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home on Sunday, died on Monday morning at a hospital in Unnao. Pappu Singh, 50, was in judicial custody after his daughter’s alleged rapists filed a complaint. He was reportedly beaten up by goons last week.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who the girl claims to have approached for justice, said, “This is an unfortunate incident. I have spoken to top police officers in Lucknow. Those found guilty will not be spared, and the government will not show any leniency,” he said.

An inquiry has been ordered, police said. Two police officers and four constables have also been suspended, while four persons accused of beating the girl’s father have been arrested.

The 16-year-old girl had alleged she was raped by Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the BJP MLA from Unnao, and his brother last year, and even after a year since the incident, the police refused to take any action. She also claimed that her family was threatened after they tried to file an FIR or First Information Report.

Last Tuesday, her father was allegedly assaulted by Sengar, his brother and their associates, but an FIR was filed against the girl’s father, and he was arrested. On Sunday, when the man complained of abdominal pain, he was taken to the district hospital where he died today.

“The incident happened while the man was in judicial custody. A magisterial inquiry will be conducted. If there have been lapses by the police, action will be taken,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Pravin Kumar said.

Sengar, who has been a leader with the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party earlier, has denied the allegations.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Beti Bachao, Khud Maare Jaao (save our daughters, get killed).”

In another tweet, former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav criticised the “encounterwali” government for failing to ensure women’s safety in the state.