Unnao Case: Supreme Court transfers all 5 cases to Delhi, 7-day-deadline to CBI in accident probe

As the Unnao rape and accident cases was being heard by CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Thursday, major action was taken including the transfer of all cases to New Delhi. The CJI also raised and questioned the custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape survivor. The CJI gave a 7-day-deadline to the CBI to complete its probe in the road accident case.

BJP expels the accused MLA Kuldeep Sengar

Two years after Unnao rape case and days after the road accident of the victim that killed her two aunts and put her lawyer and herself in critical condition, BJP has expelled the accused MLA Kuldeep Sengar. Earlier the BJP had said that he was suspended after the case came against him but did not release a press note on the same. Additionally, the three security guards of the survivor have also been suspended.

Here are the main points from the Supreme Court's hearing in the Unnao case:

• All five cases Unnao-related cases are 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

• CJI asked if the Unnao victim can be airlifted from the Lucknow hospital where she is being treated if the family wants

• CJI ordered formation of a panel of doctors to inform SC till 2 PM if the survivor and her lawyer can be transferred 

• CJI pulled up the Unnao administration on why the survivor's mother's letter citing threats did not reach him 

• CJI asked who was accused after the custodial death of victim's father

• CJI asked on how many cases chargesheet have been filed

READ: Unnao rape case: SC takes cognisance of survivor's letter to CJI alleging threats, to take matter up on Thursday

The accident:

On Sunday, the Unnao rape survivor, her family and lawyer were travelling when they were hit by an overspeeding 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. 

Sengar, a four-time MLA from UP's Bangermau, is accused of raping the woman, and he was arrested last year in April.  Raebareli District Magistrate Neha Sharma told reporters, "I visited the Raebareli jail with the SP and met Mahesh Singh. He had give application for parole application and as he is resident of Unnao it has been forwarded to the Unnao district magistrate." Mahesh Singh is the uncle of the 19-year-old woman and he is lodged in the Raebareli jail. 

"He also gave two other applications. One for registration of an FIR which it has already been filed and the other for a CBI probe into the matter. This application has been forwarded to the principal secretary (home)," she added. 

Rape survivor's mother's letter:

In a shocking revelation in the Unnao rape victim accident, Republic TV on Monday has 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: Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at the government over Unnao incident, says 'don't ask questions if BJP MLA is accused of raping you'

UP Police's claims:

UP DGP OP Singh, speaking to reporters, assured that the probe into the road accident would be free and fair and that as per primary information it was purely due to overspeeding of the truck, the driver and owner of which have been arrested.  In terms of the security not being present, the DGP said that there was no negligence, rather, that the victim had allegedly requested the security personnel to not accompany her because there was a lack of space in her vehicle.

READ: DCW chief meets Unnao rape survivor at Lucknow hospital, says she should be airlifted to Delhi

Unnao rape case:

The 17-year-old victim was allegedly raped by her uncle BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on 4 June 2017. After accusing her uncle, 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 was sent to jail. Sengar along with his brother Atul Singh is in jail since then. 

(with PTI inputs)