Ensure arrest of gang-rape accused ex-MLA: Allahabad High Court to Uttar Pradesh police

Allahabad High Court today directed the Uttar Pradesh police to ensure arrest of an absconding former MLA who has been accused of raping a girl along with his brother and a close aide in Badaun district six years ago.

Passing the order, a Division Bench comprising Justice Devendra Pratap Singh and Justice Akhtar Husain Khan said that in the event of failure to ensure the ex-MLA's arrest, the Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police shall appear in person before the court on the next date of hearing in the matter on April 29. The petition was filed by the victim's father who has alleged that Yogendra Sagar, then MLA of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party, had raped his daughter who was also sexually assaulted by his brother Tejendra Sagar and close aide Neeraj Sharma.

The petitioner has also alleged that Sagar, who used to represent Bilsi assembly seat, had used his clout to influence the investigation into the case by the CB-CID, which had submitted its final report stating that no evidence was found against any of the accused.

The petitioner has further alleged that he thereafter filed a petition in protest before a local court which reopened the case and even issued a non-bailable warrant against Sagar in 2011, though he has not been arrested and produced before the court till date.

The Badaun gang-rape case, which came to light in April 2008, had rocked the state and landed the then ruling BSP in a severe embarrassment. Three years later, in 2011, months after the lower court took cognisance of the matter and issued NBW besides ordering confiscation of Sagar's property, party supremo and Chief Minister Mayawati suspended the MLA for "indiscipline and controversial behaviour".