Unnao Rape case: Charges framed against MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar & co-accused under POCSO Act

In a massive development in the Unnao Rape case, the Delhi court framed charges against Kuldeep Singh Sengar and the co-accused under Pocso Act and other sections of Indian Penal Code and also for criminal conspiracy. The Court said that 'prima facie' evidence to frame charges and the trial will proceed. 

District Judge Dharmesh Sharma also framed charges against Sengar's accomplice Shashi Singh for allegedly kidnapping the minor girl, who is presently admitted in AIIMS, Delhi. The court has framed charges under Sections 120 b (criminal conspiracy), 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping or inducing a woman to compel for marriage), 376 (rape) and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The CBI had on Thursday told the court that Sengar and his brother assaulted the father of the girl and framed him in an Arms Act case, in collusion with three state police officials and five others. The agency had submitted that the MLA and his "accomplices" got lodged an FIR, accusing the rape survivor's father of possessing a country-made pistol and four live cartridges.

Unnao rape case:

The 17-year-old victim was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on 4 June 2017. After accusing him in April 2018, the victim had attempted to self-immolate before the Uttar Pradesh chief minister's residence. Following that, her father was assaulted, allegedly by the rape-accused BJP MLA's brother Atul Singh Sengar. Before succumbing to his injuries, the victim's father had named Atul Singh Sengar as his assaulter in video testimony. In April 2018, a case was registered against Unnao rape accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar under section 363, 366, 376, 506 and Pocso Act of Indian Penal Code and he was sent to jail. Sengar along with his brother Atul Singh is in jail since then. 

On Sunday, the Unnao rape survivor, her family and lawyer were travelling when they were hit by an over-speeding truck in Rae Bareli, killing two members and leaving her and the advocate critically injured. The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday filed a murder case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and nine others after the rape survivor's family filed a complaint, alleging "conspiracy" behind the accident. 

READ: Unnao rape case: CBI carries out searches at residence of Kuldeep Sengar and other accused in UP

Rape survivor's mother's letter:

In a shocking revelation in the Unnao rape victim accident, Republic TV on Monday had accessed a letter written by the victim's mother on July 13,  to the UP Police detailing the threats she and her family are facing. She has claimed that a couple of individuals stating that they would file a counter case of bribery against the victim and her family ensuring that they will rot in jail if they do not take back the rape case filed against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The victim's mother also claims that she received continuous threats on July 7 and 8. 

READ: BJP finally expels Unnao rape-accused MLA Kuldeep Sengar, Congress demands CM Yogi's resignation, Left says 'sham'

Main points from the Supreme Court's hearing in the Unnao case on Thursday:

• All five cases were transferred to New Delhi
• Case to be heard on daily basis and within 45 days the case's verdict must come out
• 7-days-deadline for investigation of the accident given to the CBI
• Supreme Court ordered an interim compensation of 20 lakhs to be paid to victim, which is now paid
• SC ordered UP govt to airlift the victim to AIIMS, New Delhi 

READ: Supreme Court directs Uttar Pradesh government to airlift Unnao rape survivor for treatment at AIIMS