Unnao Rape Case: Why accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar not arrested even after FIR, Allahabad HC asks UP govt

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's approach in handling the Unnao rape case, asking its counsel why the accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was not arrested even after an FIR.

The court also asked the counsel to clarify whether or not the government would arrest the MLA. 

Even though a police officer, representing the Special Investigation Team (SIT), assured the court to arrest the accused MLA but the Chief Justice appeared not convinced with the reply and the bench has reserved the order in the case for Friday.

The Principal Secretary Home Arvind Kumar and the DGP O.P. Singh, who briefed the media at 10 am on Thursday, however, put the ball into the CBI court when asked about the arrest of the accused MLA after registration of fresh case against him at Makhi Police Station in Unnao.

The case has already been handed over to the CBI, while an SIT of Lucknow zone police is also investigating it.

Earlier in the day, an FIR was registered against Sengar.

On April 8, the victim, along with her family members, had tried to commit suicide in front of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence in Lucknow, alleging that she was raped by Sengar and his fellow accomplices.

Prior to this, on April 3, the rape victim's father was allegedly thrashed by the accused MLA's brother for refusing to withdraw the FIR over the rape, and on April 5, he died in hospital. However, the family cried foul alleging that he was murdered.

On Tuesday, the MLA's brother Atul Singh, along with three others, was arrested from Unnao on the directions of the DGP, by the Lucknow crime branch team.

As many as six police personnel were also suspended for allegedly beating up the victim's father. 
(With ANI inputs)